Press Breifing Wednesdayday, 3rd Feb 2010

Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan addressed the media today.

Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan said that there has been a recent trend among some political parties, a pernicious attempt to polarise the country on the lines of regional identities spearheaded by parties like the Shiv Sena. The Indian National Congress, which speared the freedom movement and worked tirelessly for the unity and integrity of our country condemns attempts to polarise our nation on chauvinistic lines of regional identity and any attempts to create discord and disaffection among the citizens of different states. We are totally committed to the idea of India and would strain every nerve to ensure that the unity and integrity of India is not compromised, that the constitution of India is upheld in letter and spirit and that every citizen of India has the right to move about freely, to live and to work in every part of the country.

To a question that Sena and Samana both are indulging in activities of disruption should they not be banned Smt. Natarajan said that this is a question of the law and we would call upon all the people of India to reject the ideology and all the sentiments of hate that are attempted to be spread by the Shiv Sena and their newspaper.

To a question that Shiv Sena has pulled down the posters of Shahrukh Khan of his forthcoming picture. Smt. Natarajan said that this is the part of their culture of violence and hatred that has been constantly perpetrated by the Shiv Sena. We will never allow them to spread this message of hatred and we will peacefully resist it with all the means at our command. We strongly condemn violence by the Shiv Sena that is being perpetrated against this particular film, theatres or posters and we call upon the authorities to take whatever action that is called for under the law and bring the perpetrators to justice.

To a question that there is a Congress Government in Maharastra, Smt. Natarajan said that we definitely feel that the Government will and should and I am absolutely confident that the state government will take whatever action that is prescribed under the law.

To a question that you are condemning the Shiv Sena on the one hand and the Congress Government does not take action against them, Smt. Natarajan said that I am condemning the Shiv Sena which is perpetrating an idea that Mumbai is only for Maharastrians and I was talking about the broad canvas and concept. About the incident of a particular film being targeted, I am very sure that the Government of Maharastra is absolutely sensible to the issue and will take action and when called for.

To a question made against the Congress President and Shri Rahul Gandhi in 'Samna', Smt. Natarajan said that we would not like to dignify these undignified remarks with a response and I only want to add that Shri Rahul Gandhi has being touring the whole of India in an attempt to demonstrate and also to build up the youth Congress and the NSUI and his efforts which have never before been attempted on such a large scale or succeeded in such a large scale by any political party. His attempts have meet with great success and therefore those who are not able to generate any positive political progress have made these remarks. We don't wish to dignify these undignified remarks with any response.

To a question that no reference of the word Telangana has been made in a statement by Centre regarding the Telangana issues, Smt. Natarajan said that I am absolutely sure that in this extremely sensitive matter, the announcement made by the Government is part of a process in which the machinery will be set in motion and all aspects of the matter will be considered and a decision will be finally taken to the satisfaction of everybody concerned.

To a question that the government is giving a long rope to Shiv Sena Smt. Natarajan said that we have absolutely zero tolerance for the theories of hatred and divisiveness that are being spread by the Shiv Sena.

To a question of Amar Singh joining Congress Party some senior party leaders have said that Congress Party is not a waste paper basket, Smt. Natarajan replied that the official position that this is a matter between Samajwadi Party and Amar Singh and any further step will be explained by the General Secretary incharge.

Tom Vadakkan

Secretary, AICC