The Shiv Sena on Monday defended its party chief Uddhav Thackeray's demand of proclaiming India a 'Hindu state', saying they are not attacking the government and have just put forward their views as allowed in a democracy."

Kashmir is a symbol of nationalism. It's our pride. It is a very sensitive subject for us. Kashmir is an integral part of India and, therefore, it doesn't suit for a country like ours that the people of Kashmir are being targeted. Whatever is happening in Kashmir is not right,' said Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut.


"So, if we have put forward our views, why is it being taken as an attack on the government? It is our government and we can put forward our views in democracy," he added.


Amidst the ongoing tensions in Kashmir, Thackeray had on Sunday  demanded that India should be proclaimed a 'Hindu state'.


Firing a fresh salvo at the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Government, he had questioned the Centre's handling of the Kashmir situation and accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of 'failing' Hindus, while noting that a 'hazy situation' was prevalent in the country.