File photo of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has come out in support of Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or the RSS, for his comments that Hindutva is the identity of India.
"I support the comments made by Mohan Bhagwat. When he says that India is a Hindu nation, what's wrong with it? Balasaheb Thackeray used to say the same thing for a long time. So how can we change our stand on the issue today?" Mr Thackeray said while replying to a query from reporters in Mumbai.
At a function in Mumbai on Sunday, Mr Bhagwat had said that India is a Hindu nation and Hindutva is its identity.
At the same function, Mr Bhagwat had also said, "For the next 5 years we have to work with the aim of bringing equality among all the Hindus in the country. All Hindus should be drinking water at one place, should be praying at one place and after their death, their bodies should be burnt at the same place."
Mr Thackeray also hit out at Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan over his comment that "abolishing Planning Commission will cost the nation".
"The CM (Chavan) seems to be unhappy with the abolishing of the Planning Commission. But will he first tell everyone what real purpose has the Commission served anyway in all these years?" Mr Thackeray said.
When asked about the central government's decision to call off Foreign Secretary-level talks with Pakistan, the Shiv Sena chief said it is high time that Pakistan is dealt with seriously.
"We have to deal with Pakistan in a stern way. They don't fit to be friends," he said.
Mr Thackeray, who was speaking at a function to induct Dhaval Singh, son of NCP leader Pratapsingh Mohite Patil, into Shiv Sena, said he had called a meeting of party MPs today to formulate strategy for state Assembly elections.