Uddhav Thackeray dares Fadnavis to bring Lawrence Bishnoi from Sabarmati jail to Maharashtra

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray launched a sharp attack on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the party's annual Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on Tuesday, October 20. He challenged Fadnavis to bring gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, lodged in Gujarat's Sabarmati jail, to Maharashtra for questioning. Thackeray used the occasion to voice concern over the state's law and order.

Thackeray referred to the recent firing outside the Mumbai home of Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff. Citing the incident, he questioned how effective the security arrangements of the police and the state government were. "If you have the courage, go to Sabarmati and bring Lawrence Bishnoi here," he said. He targeted Fadnavis over the government's handling of criminal activity linked to the Bishnoi gang and its alleged threats.

Thackeray asked how armed attackers had managed to operate when security was tight during the Navratri festival. He asked how the accused entered the area and carried out the attack despite checkpoints and security being deployed. He also questioned the effectiveness of the police.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief also criticised Fadnavis, who holds the home portfolio. He alleged that the government makes big claims about law and order without properly resolving public safety concerns.

Referring to Bishnoi, Thackeray said he is lodged in Sabarmati jail. He asked how the gangster's alleged network continued to pose a threat even while he was in custody. He asked Fadnavis to ensure that Bishnoi could be brought to Maharashtra for questioning in connection with the firing case. Through this issue, he sharpened his criticism of the state and central governments.

The remarks come at a time of fresh concern over alleged threats and attacks by the Bishnoi gang against people from the film industry.

Thackeray also took on the state government over urban Naxalism. He questioned the allegations that Maharashtra was becoming a centre of urban Naxalism. He alleged that officials were targeting protesters and dissenting voices instead of focusing on essential public issues. He said the government should attend to citizens' concerns instead of labelling those who oppose its policies.

In his Shivaji Park speech, Thackeray also raised the issues of democracy, voting rights, the distress of farmers and the treatment of young protesters. He accused the ruling party of undermining democratic values and called for a change of government.