Shiv Sena spews venom, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil wriggles

Even as the controversy over the Saamana cartoon ridiculing protests by the Maratha community refuses to die down, the editorial has taken to making headlines as a medium to trade political barbs and uncork a series of insults on its opponents. Leader of opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil tops the list of opponents that the Shiv Sena mouthpiece had been bombarding with disparaging remarks.

Taking potshots at Mr Vikhe-Patil for criticising the Sena, Saamana on Monday said that he “resides in barren land” and “is an earthworm trying to be a snake”. The editorial further said that an earthworm is seen during monsoon and disappears later. However, happy with the reference, Mr Vikhe-Patil claimed that at least an “earthworm” is useful to a farmer. He also raised questions over Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray’s village and asked whether he is originally from Maharashtra. “I am happy that I am an earthworm. At least it helps the farmers during the farming season. What does Uddhav Thackeray know about farming For him, giving away goats is farming, nothing else,” Mr Vikhe-Patil said.

Stating that the Shiv Sena is the snake and not him, he said, “The Shiv Sena is a Kaliya nag that is spreading hatred.”

“At least my village is known, does Uddhav Thackeray have a village to name where he comes from The Shiv Sena should come clear on whether Uddhav Thackeray is originally from Maharashtra or not,” Mr Vikhe-Patil further added.

The Saamana remark on Mr Vikhe-Patil comes as a reaction to his statement after the eruption of the cartoon row. Criticising Mr Thackeray for not tendering an apology, Mr Vikhe-Patil had said that the Sena was “anti-Maratha”.

Meanwhile, close on the heels of Shiv Sena president and Saamana editor Uddhav Thackeray’s apology over the Maratha morcha cartoon row, its executive editor and MP in Rajya Sabha Sanjay Raut tendered his apology on Monday. Ironically, in his apology that appeared in the party’s mouthpiece, Mr Raut has claimed that only the editorial of the paper is the Shiv Sena’s view and the remaining isn’t.

The controversial cartoon had appeared in the September 25 edition of Saamana. It ‘hurt the sentiments’ of the Maratha community by ridiculing their protests. The preceding days saw major protests by the community. Even the opposition latched upon the opportunity by branding the Shiv Sena as anti-Maratha. The newspaper’s office in Navi Mumbai was also attacked.

“The cartoon did miff some people and the sentiments of women were hurt, and this has to be accepted. However, one thing needs to be clarified, that editorials in Saamana are the party’s view, not something written or drawn by any outsider. However, Saamana has never refused to take responsibility for these articles and the Shiv Sena president has already expressed his regret over the cartoon. Now, even I am seeking forgiveness for the same,” said Mr Raut.

Claiming that the cartoon wasn’t any planned strategy, but happened by accident, Mr Raut further said, “We are Shiv Sainiks of Balasaheb Thackeray and will never do anything that would insult women.”

Meanwhile, former chief minister and senior Congress leader Narayan Rane claimed that the apology by Mr Thackeray was a political move. “Uddhav Thackeray’s apology for the cartoon lampooning Maratha morchas had selfish political motives behind it and not respect for the community,” Mr Rane said.