MUMBAI: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Tuesday supported suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma over her alleged offensive remarks about Prophet Muhammad during a discussion on a news channel.
In a speech given to MNS office-bearers, Raj mentioned Islamic televangelist Zakir Naik, who absconded from India, and supported Nupur Sharma.
“Nupur Sharma spoke. They suspended her. Apologized to everyone. I took her side. She was not speaking her mind. She was (talking) about what was happening. Zakir Naik, a Muslim preacher who absconded from India and founder of Islamic Research Foundation. Who is that Naik of yours? Watch his interviews. Zakir Naik is a Muslim. In an interview, he has said the same thing that Nupur Sharma was saying,” Raj said.
“Nobody said anything about Zakir Naik. No one told him to apologize. You have stopped talking about it,” Raj said.
“Till date, no other party has done as many agitations as we have done. Removal of loudspeakers from mosques. How many years was this going on? But we gave an alternative to these fools. Either remove the loudspeakers, or we will come there and chant Hanuman Chalisa. Everyone started removing loudspeakers. Now many in the Muslim community are saying that it sounds good to the ears. There have been many protests. You have to tell people this all the time. What do you hold back?” Raj said.