Members of Raj Thackeray’s MNS party were detained during a protest, and alleged that the Maharashtra government was not allowing “Marathi people’s march”.
Amid an escalating language row in Maharashtra, several members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) were detained during a protest march they took out in Thane. According to the state government, while Raj Thackeray’s party earlier had a permission for the protest, it was later denied as the party was adamant on a specific route.
Prohibitory orders were issued regarding the assembly of people, following which Raj Thackeray’s party members alleged that the state government was not allowing “Marathi people’s march”.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asserted that while the party was allowed to take out a protest, only the police could decide the route, given traffic and crowd management. According to Fadnavis, the MNS workers were adamant on a specific route, which is why permission for the march was denied.
“The police commissioner informed me that they were asked to change the route, however, they were adamant to take the same route. Therefore, the police rejected their demand,” Fadnavis said.
“I understand Maharashtra’s mood. Such kind of experiment won’t work here. Marathis are big hearted people. Marathis are not narrow-minded,”
The MNS had called the march in protest to counter a protest staged by traders against the thrashing of a shop owner for refusing to speak Marathi. “Is this the government of Maharashtra or other state? Why do they not allow Marathi people’s march?” the detained activists asked.
The party also countered Fadnavis’s claim on permission for the rally, alleging the traders’ protest was allowed the Mira Road route, but the MNS was not.
“The traders’ march was organised in Mira Road and police wanted us to organise the march at Ghodbunder Road. This shows that they do not want to permit our march in Mira Road area. Now, all MNS workers across the state will reach Mira Road and, will not rest till cops allow us the protest march there,” said MNS Mumbai president Sandeep Deshpande.
About The Author
