New Delhi: Asserting the Shiv Sena is fighting against those who plan to divide the nation by causing riots in the name of Hanuman Chalisa, party MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday said late Bal Thackeray would have been happy with the cadres for resisting such attempts.


Raut hit back at Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ashwini Kumar Choubey stating he “need not worry about Balasaheb Thackeray”.


“The Shiv Sena is fighting those who plan to divide this country by causing riots in the name of Hanuman Chalisa,” Raut told reporters in Mumbai when asked about Choubey’s remark, PTI reported.


“Balasaheb Thackeray will shower us with flowers for doing so...he will be happy seeing us do this,” he added.


Mentioning a past remark made by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath that Lord Hanuman was a Dalit and a forest dweller, Raut said: “If people who make such statements are telling us about Hanuman Chalisa, then Choubey should read ‘Yogi Chalisa’.”


“We know what Hanuman is. Maharashtra is a worshipper of Lord Ram and Hanuman. You don't worry about Balasaheb Thackeray,” he added.


Responding to a poser about Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Shiv Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray holding a meeting with party leaders on Saturday, Raut said the former asked the leaders to give answers to “anti-social organisations and elements” who have allegedly conspired to defame the party and Maharashtra.


“We observed restraint in some cases earlier since we are in power (in Maharashtra). But if water starts flowing above our head (if things are going out of control), then we will have to drown others in that water,” he added.


The Union Minister had earlier on Friday criticized Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray-led government for arresting people for reciting the Hanuman Chalisa.


“Of late, I have seen here that arrests were made for reciting the Hanuman Chalisa or taking the name of Lord Ram,” Choubey told reporters in Pune.


“The soul of Thackeray saheb (late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray) would have been hurt,” added the sarcastically.


Independent MP from Amravati Navneet Rana and her MLA husband Ravi Rana had earlier announced to recite the Hanuman Chalisa in front of the Chief Minister’s private residence ‘Matoshree’ in Mumbai last Saturday.


The couple was, however, arrested and booked under sedition and other charges.