From correspondents in Bihar, India, 10:31 PM IST

Bihar Wednesday witnessed protest rallies against Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's comments against people from the state and angry crowds burnt his effigies.

The widespread protests started after Thackeray's reported remarks that Biharis are an 'unwanted lot' in all parts of the country. Thackeray said in the party mouthpiece Samana that Biharis are not wanted in southern India, Assam and also Punjab and Chandigarh.

Hundreds of people, including workers of the Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Lok Janshakti Party as well as members of social and cultural organisations, burnt Thackeray's effigies in Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, Purnea among other places.

'We have burnt Thackeray's effigy and demanded stern action against him. He is a threat to India's unity and integrity,' said Krishna Singh, a businessman.

'The central government should initiate action against Thackeray for his remarks against Biharis as it is a dangerous trend for the country,' said Shanawaz Khan, RJD leader from Raghunathpur village in Aurangabad district.

In Muzaffarpur and Purnea districts, protestors threatened to launch a campaign to boycott goods manufactured in Maharashtra.

In Gaya, people took out a rally against Thackeray and burnt his effigy and demanded his arrest. 'Thackeray should be arrested just as (his estranged nephew) Raj Thackeray was,' said Bhagwan Basskar, a social activist.

In Saharsa district, residents took out a protest march and also named two donkeys after Bal Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray.

'We named two donkeys after Bal Thackeray and Raj Thackeray,' Santosh Rai, a college student, said.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed serious concern over Bal Thackeray's remarks. 'Biharis hardly need any certificate from anybody. They are hardworking people, earning their livelihood by doing hard labour,' he told reporters here.

Nitish Kumar Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh requesting his intervention in the situation in Maharashtra where people from Bihar and other north Indian states were being targeted by Raj Thackeray's supporters.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)