Mumbai, Nov 9: Four legislators of the MNS were suspended for four years by Maharashtra assembly on Monday, Nov 9, for attacking Samajwadi Party's Abu Azmi for taking the oath of office in Hindi.

The four legislators, who had slapped and punched Samajwadi Party member Abu Azmi, include Shishir Shinde, Ram Kadam, Ramesh Vanjale and Vasant Geete.

Speaking to reporters, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said, "The question is not of Marathi or Hindi. Hooliganism is not the culture of Maharashtra. Everyone has the freedon of expression and only the Speaker has the right to stop an MLA from speaking in the House."

He also said the government will check the footage of the attack on Azmi to see if there were any other motive behind the attack. "We will take further action if required," he added.

MLAs of the Raj Thackeray-led MNS attacked SP's Abu Azmi for taking the oath of office and secrecy in Hindi.

Earlier, MNS chief Raj Thackeray had warned all 288 newly elected legislators, asking them to take oath only in Marathi.

Azmi had refused to bow to Raj's demand, categorically stating that it was a privilege to take oath in the national language.

OneIndia News