Maharashtra Congress unit today accused BJP-led state government of "indulging in religious and social polarisation", with mosque heads being sent police notices, asking them not to speak against cow progeny slaughter ban.
Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Ashok Chavan while addressing a press conference here, displayed a notice sent by a police inspector in Nanded to a local mosque asking it not to speak against the decision to ban cow progeny slaughter or the government or participate in protest morcha against the ban.
"What kind of a fatwa is this?" he asked and informed that the concerned police inspector had been transferred and the apology was tendered to the mosque authorities.
"Cow slaughter is in force in the state and no one is opposing it. Farmers, leather industry, pharma companies face certain issues due to the ban. It does not just pertain to a particular religion. The government has not given any alternative to cow progeny slaughter ban," he said.
There are mixed opinions to the ban enforced by this government and those opposing it are entitled to their views.
"Does this mean you clamp down on opposing views?" he asked.
Chavan also accused the government of interfering with the conduct of free and fair polls.
"Unofficial orders are being sent from Mantralaya to the Caste Validity Committees against accepting caste validity applications by candidates contesting the local body polls," he said.
"If the Chief Minister wants, I can produce the evidence. But, what is happening is very unfortunate," Chavan said.
To a question on Shiv Sena being critical of the state government over offices of top establishments being shifted out of Mumbai, Chavan said Sena should show guts to oppose injustice to Mumbai and pull out of the government as a protest.
