SC dismisses Raj Thackeray's appeal

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray's appeal to re-track the gag order passed against him. The police order was passed by DCP Vijaysingh Jadhav on February 11, prohibiting Raj from organising rallies, giving provocative statements in media, holding press conferences and shouting slogans to cause breach of peace or cause obstruction in Mumbai. "We understand the situation there and what is happening," a three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan said. "This is one country and we will not accept son of soil theory," the Bench also comprising Justices R V Ravindran and Markandey Katju observed. Earlier on Thursday, Raj Thackeray moved an application in the sessions court, stating that the order is "vague" and does not precisely outline what he is to do or abstain from doing. He also stated that he has to move around different places in Maharashtra for propounding the philosophy of his party. Such order of the DCP was infringing his "fundamental right". Raj was arrested for making provocative speeches against the north Indians on February 13 and was released on bail.