Uddhav Thackeray’s reply to the Governor leaves people in splits

The four-page reply in Marathi to Maharashtra Governor has become a talking point in the state. Shiv Sainiks are gleefully and approvingly quoting from the letter. Koshyari Ki Hoshyari utaar di (The too clever by half Governor has been exposed), is the refrain.

The Governor had written to the CM in the context of the Nirbhaya-like rape at Sakinaka, a suburb of Andheri a few weeks ago. The CM reminds the Governor that police reached the site within 10 minutes and apprehended the rapist in less than 24 hours. A fast-track court has been set up to bring the man to justice and every police station is now in the process of setting up a special rapid response squad of women officers to combat threats to women. Edited excerpts of the English translation of the letter:

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The Governor

“…Some opposition leaders are trying to politicise the rape and I notice the Governor is adding his voice to theirs and making the same demand…I am aware that atrocities on women, rapes and exploitation are a blemish on the nation, state and society.

While the state government is taking the strictest measures to prevent such incidents, women’s safety is a national issue and it needs discussion at the national level. In the last few years there has been an unimaginable rise in rapes in Delhi and the world has described Delhi as the capital of rapes. One must remember that law and order of the national capital is in the hands of the Centre.

Last month’s incident of atrocity against a girl in Delhi has been mind-numbing. A nine-year-old was gang-raped in a crematorium by a priest and his three accomplices and they brutally murdered her. But their cruelty did not stop with that act. They actually cremated the girl to destroy all evidence against their crime. This is an incident that happened in a place where the entire union cabinet resides.

I would also like to draw your attention to an incident in Bihar, ruled by the BJP. A member of parliament raped a party worker but the police refused to register a FIR as there was political pressure on them. Ultimately, after running from pillar to post three women approached the court and a FIR was registered on court orders. In contrast, Maharashtra police took prompt action and I would request you to compare the actions of the two.”