Congress places blame of Shiv Sena attacks on Modi government

NEW DELHI: India’s opposition party, Congress has placed the blame of recent attacks carried out by the Hindu extremist party Shiv Sena on the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Congress leader Anand Sharma during a news briefing said the Indian prime minister and his government had failed to take action against violent acts carried out by Shiv Sena.

“After a spate of such incidents from last year and statements which have led to violet conflicts and tensions, there has not been a single instance when the prime minister of India nor his party have taken firm or affective action against any of their members or leaders who are responsible for that,” Sharma told reporters.

On Monday, activists of Shiv Sena stormed the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai just prior to a meeting between Indian cricket officials and their Pakistani counterparts to discuss reviving cricket ties between the two nations.

Between 40 and 50 Shiv Sena activists barged into the BCCI head-office at Wankhede stadium in Mumbai, shouting slogans against Pakistan and carrying placards saying "Shahryar Khan waapis jao (Shahryar Khan, Go Back)".

Shiv Sena also threatened Pakistani umpire Shiv Sena from officiaiting in the India-South Africa series. The International Cricket Council withdrew Dar from the series following the threat.

Last week, Shiv sena activists attacked Sudheendra Kulkarni, the organiser of a book launch in Mumbai for former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Kasuri, saying any engagement with Pakistan is unacceptable.

Earlier this month, threats from the extreme right-wing group led to organisers cancelling legendary Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali's show in Mumbai despite the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) assuring that the event would not be stopped.

Shiv Sena co-governs the Indian state of Maharashtra with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP.