No Compromise with Muslims: The Rhetoric of Hatred Shiy Sena’s BAL Thackeray’s Interview to Time, New York Ques: Why is Shiv Sena attacking Muslims? Ans: Muslims started the riots, and my boys are retaliating. Do you expect Hindus to turn in the other cheek? I want to teach Muslims a lesson. Our fortitude has gone too far. Ques: Why are you so angry with the Muslims?
Ans: They are not prepared to accept the rules of this land. They don’t want to accept birth control, they want to implement their Shari’a (Islamic law) in my motherland, yes, and this is the Hindus’ motherland. Ques: But Muslims are fleeing Bombay. Ans: If they are going, let them go. If they are not going, kick them out If Pakistan feels Muslims in India are being harassed, let it, please, take this lot back.
Ques: Is this a steppingstone toward a Hindu nation?
Ans: We don’t need steppingstone. This is a Hindu rashtra (nation),
Ques: What will be the position of Muslims in your Hindu rashtra?
Ans: They will not be happy unless they behave like good citizens.
Ques: Indian Muslims are beginning to feel like Jews in Nazi Germany,
Ans: Have they behaved like the Jews in Nazi Germany? If so, there is nothing wrong if they are treated as Jews were in Germany, Ques: These riots have damaged India’s image abroad, don’t you care?
Ans; I don’t care two hoots for international image.
Ques: Are your men extorting protection money from civilians’?
Ans: Yes, we want money. The CIA is not giving us funds.
Ques: Does it depend on you alone to bring: peace to Bombay’?
Ans: Yes. I am the person fighting for justice; (The mobs) are under my control. Ques: Have you decided to stop now? Ans: Yes. How long can we continue, and for what? I hope the Muslims have understood the lesson well.
Ques: Is your party named after Lord Shiva (the Hindu god who opens his third eye to destroy) or Shivaji (the medieval Hind warier king of the Bombay region)? Ans; in politics it’s Shivaji, in religion it’s Shiva. The third eye is now opening.
(Courtesy: Muslim India, Source: The Times).
Article extracted from this publication >> June 25, 1993
