Hindu Militant Urges Denying Vote to India's Muslims

BOMBAY, Dec. 18 (AFP) - Bal Thackeray, India's most prominent Hindu militant leader, was accused of fascism Monday following his call to take away the vote from India's vast Muslim population.

Well-known social activist Medha Patkar, a Hindu, said Thackeray's latest anti-Muslim outburst was the most extreme ever by any Hindu fundamentalist leader.

"Thackeray should be taken to task, otherwise he will become uncontrollable. This just shows up the fascist that he is," Patkar told AFP.

Thackeray heads the Hindu militant Shiv Sena party -- the third largest partner in Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's federal coalition.

In an interview with his party newspaper, Saamna, on Sunday, Thackeray said India's 120 million Muslims -- the country's largest religious minority -- should not be allowed to vote.

"If you have the guts, disenfranchise Muslims. Let's see who will cry for them. Everyone will then become pro-Hindu," Thackeray said.

Muslims in India, which is predominantly Hindu, will continue to be "uppity" as long as political parties woo them for votes," he added.

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