Devyani Khobragade row: RPI activists attack Domino's outlet in Mumbai

RPI (Republican Party of India) workers on Friday allegedly vandalised a Domino's Pizza outlet in Bandra to protest against the humiliation of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade in the US.

On Friday, 15 RPI supporters reportedly attacked a Domino's Pizza outlet near Chetna College in suburban Bandra's Kherwadi area. The activists arrived at the outlet, which was packed with customers, in a car. The party workers then requested the patrons to leave the premises, while the staff went into hiding.u00a0

A staff worker said, "We are extremely sad. They stormed in and started abusing everyone. They forcefully removed customers and kept abusing America and us too. They vandalised costly property."

The attackers picked up paver blocks and smashed the outlet's glass doors and glass structure. The activists then chanted anti-US slogans and left.u00a0

Manager the outlet, Shiraj Sheikh,u00a0registered an FIR with the Kherwadi police.

Ramdas Athawale, Republican Party of India (RPI) leader

Inspector Janardan Kolekar of Kherwadi police station said, "There is no CCTV cameras inside or outside the Domino's outlet, so it's very difficult to identify them. We have registered a case under rioting and trespassing at private property of IPC. No one was harmed in the incident since all the staff workers were inside. The accused left after 15 minutes."

Speaking to MiD-DAY, RPI chief Ramdas Athawaleu00a0said, "America has made big mistake. They should apologise and take back case against IFS Khobragade. She is our daughter and we have to bring her back with full respect."

When told that the US at present has refused to apologise and take back case, Athavle said, "We will intensify our protest. We will not allow US outlets to operate here completely and also we will not let American films here. If we find any American film here, we will stop it in our style."

He added, "We should disconnect all ties with America. We independent country and cannot be dictated by them."

Responding to accusations that this was a political stunt to gain mileage from a sensitive issue, Athavle said, "We don't want any mileage is such issue."