Mumbai: An FIR has been registered against Union Minister Narayan Rane at Chaturshringi Police Station of Pune city over his remarks about slapping Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray for what he claimed as the latter's ignorance of the year of India's independence. Nashik Police Commissioner Deepak Pandey has formed a team led by DCP Sanjay Barkund to immediately arrest Rane. According to sources, two squads of police have left for Ratnagiri district in Konkan region where Rane is carrying out 'Jan Ashirwad Yatra'.
Security has been beefed up after a clash broke out between Shiv Sena workers, BJP workers and Police in Mumbai as Shiv Sena workers marched towards Union Minister Narayan Rane's residence. Earlier, a group of Shiv Sena workers pelted stones at BJP party office in Nashik and raised slogans against Rane.
Rane, while speaking to reporters on Tuesday defended his remarks against CM Thackeray. "I've no info that an FIR has been registered against me. I am not a common man. I have not committed any crime. Is it not a crime if someone doesn't know about 15th August? I had said that I would have slapped - these were the words & it's not a crime," said Rane.
Read: 42 FIRs registered so far in connection with Jan Ashirvaad Yatra of Narayan Rane
Rane during his Jan Ashirwad Yatra in adjoining Raigad district on Monday, said Thackeray had to check the year of independence with his aides midway during the I-day speech. It is shameful that the chief minister does not know the year of independence. He leaned back to enquire about the count of years of independence during his speech. Had I been there, I would have given (him) a tight slap, Rane said.
The FIR was registered against the minister following a complaint by Yuva Sena, for using objectionable language against CM Uddhav Thackeray. The minister has been charged under sections 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot—if rioting be committed—if not committed), 500 (punishment for defamation) 505 (Statements conducing to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code. According to information available, more cases have been registered against Rana at different police stations in the state.
In another development, Shiv Sena MP Vinayak Raut has written a letter to PM Narendra Modi, requesting him to remove Rane from Union Cabinet over his comment against Uddhav Thackeray.
