Sanjay Raut
Credit: PTI Photo
Mumbai: Amid the attack on Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan at his posh Bandra home in Mumbai, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi has hit out at the Devendra Fadnavis-led MahaYuti-NDA dispensation on what it described as the deteriorating law and order situation in Maharashtra.
The opposition also referred to the Parbhani incident involving the death of Somnath Suryawanshi, a law student, in judicial custody after his arrest in a case of violence post the desecration of a symbolic Constitution below the statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and the Beed incident involving the abduction, torture and killing of Santosh Deshmukh, a Sarpanch.
Besides, it also cited the examples of the killing of NCP leader and social worker Baba Siddique and repeated threats to Bollywood star Salman Khan.
The opposition parties hit out at Fadnavis, who is also the state Home Minister. Fadnavis, however, said that among the big metropolises, Mumbai is the safest city. "Some incidents do happen and we take note of it seriously," he said.
“The law and order situation of Maharashtra has collapsed,” said Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut, who is the chief spokesperson of Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT).
“What a shame that Mumbai sees another high profile attempt on life, the attack on Saif Ali Khan yet again raises questions on Mumbai Police & the Home Minister. This is after a series of incidents that show there is a deliberate attempt to undermine Mumbai by targeting big names,” added Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member.
Hitting out at the government, NCP (SP) leader and former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said: "Even Saif is not safe...It is unfortunate that such attacks are happening on big actors like Saif Ali Khan. The police administration should take strict action against these attackers. Our Mumbai is the haven of our Maharashtra artists. It is the responsibility of the government to provide a fear-free and nurturing environment for artists."
“Attack on Saif Ali Khan is a cause for concern because if such high profile people with levels of security can be attacked in their homes, then what could happen to common citizens? Fear of law seems to be at a low in Maharashtra due to leniencies in the past couple of years,” pointed Clyde Crasto, the national spokesperson of Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP).
Congress leader and Mumbai North Central MP Prof Varsha Gaikwad said: “A popular Padma Shri award winning actor (Saif Ali Khan) who lives in a high profile society in a safe area like Bandra, someone enters his house and stabs him and leaves. What a horrific incident! The law and order situation in Maharashtra is deteriorating day by day. A politician (Baba Siddique) is shot dead in Bandra, an actor's house is shot at (Salman Khan) and now Saif Ali Khan is attacked. All these attacks have happened near the homes and offices of these people. When such famous people are not safe in their homes and offices, how can a common man feel safe?.”