Mumbai (The Hindu): He also criticised Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for "backing" those who chant anti-national slogans.

Amid the raging debate over nationalism, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that those unwilling to say ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ have no right to stay in the country.

“There is still a dispute over saying ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and those opposing to say it, should not have any right to stay here. Those living here should say ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’,” Mr. Fadnavis said at a public meeting in Nashik on Saturday night.

He also criticised Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for “backing” those who chant anti-national slogans.

He said the opposition parties should voice their protest against BJP, but not oppose ‘Bharat Mata...’ slogan, while cautioning that people of the country will not tolerate it.

With regard to the ongoing debate over women’s entry being prohibited in some places of worship, Mr. Fadnavis said as per Hindu culture “there is no discrimination in gender or caste, and hence it was not proper to deny entry to women in any temple.”

Since the state government has already made a statement on the issue in Bombay High Court, he said in the coming times “women will not be prevented from entering temple”.

Without naming any party or leader, the Chief Minister said some people were creating dispute over separate Vidarbha, Marathwada versus the remaining Maharashtra.

On protests over releasing Nashik dam water for Marathwada, Mr. Fadnavis said since people of the region in the state are thirsty, it is our duty to give them water.

Alluding to investigations against some former ministers from the previous state government, the Chief Minister said that his government’s battle is against corruption and corrupt tendencies. The government will not spare those who looted the state’s treasure, he further said.

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