BJP drops agitation plan against Shripal Sabnis

Shripal Sabnis

After threatening to stop Shripal Sabnis from attending the 89th Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, the BJP, on Wednesday, decided to drop its plan of agitation against him, but will put every word that he speaks at the literary meet under the scanner. This follows the “regret” expressed by Sabnis in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

At a press conference, BJP MP Amar Sable, who was leading the agitation against Sabnis in Pimpri-Chinchwad, said, “Since Sabnis has expressed regret over his derogatory remarks against the Prime Minister, we have decided not to agitate against him.” In the same breath, he said that the BJP would put every word that Sabnis speaks at the literary meet under scanner. “Whatever he speaks, we will keep a close tab,” Sable said.

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Sable said Sabnis is indulging in word play. “He has expressed regret, it is not an apology. But since his body language and his tone and tenor at Tuesday’s press conference sounded that he was expressing regret over his remarks against the Prime Minister, we have decided not to carry the issue too far since it involves the celebrations of Marathi language.”

The literary meet, Sable said, is happening for the first time in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Besides, prominent writers would be descending in town. “For the sake of Marathi language and Marathis, we are ensuring that a peaceful atmosphere prevails during the meet,” he said.