High drama in protest march over Marathi cause as MNS workers detained

 

 

 

HIGH drama unfolded in Mira Bhayandar area near Mumbai on Tuesday as hundreds took part in a protest march led by the MNS and other groups to defend the Marathi ‘asmita’ (pride) amid rising political heat following the attack on a shopkeeper for refusal to speak Marathi. The march witnessed detention of several activists by the police with leaders and workers of Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) also joining the protest. Shiv Sena minister Pratap Sarnaik was heckled and driven away by angry demonstrators as he visited the site to express solidarity. The march organised by the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and other pro-Marathi groups under the aegis of Marathi Ekikaran Samiti to counter a protest staged by traders recently against the slapping of a food stall owner by MNS workers on July 1 for not speaking Marathi.

 

A video of the assault had gone viral on social media, following which traders in Bhayandar staged a protest, seeking action against the attackers. Seven MNS members were later detained. Ahead of Tuesday’s proposed rally, security had been stepped up in Mira Bhayandar in Thane district. The police had denied permission to the rally. The day started with the police detaining local MNS leader Avinash Jadhav from his house in Thane at around 3.30 am. A prohibitory order was issued against Jadhav by the police on Monday, restraining him from entering Mira Bhayandar to participate in the rally. He was released later in the day. CM Devendra Fadnavis stepped in saying permission had been granted for the MNS rally, but the party insisted on a specific route which posed law and order challenges. ‘There is no opposition to holding a rally. It was difficult to give permission for the sought route. Police requested them to change the route, but the organisers were adamant on a particular route,’ he said. Fadnavis said permission was sought late Monday night for holding a gathering, which was also granted.