Protesters alleged that the government was using the police to pressure them and that MNS leader Avinash Jadhav was arrested prior to the rally
MNS and Marathi supporters come out in support of Marathi identity at Mira Road. PIC/NIMESH DAVE
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers’ protest march in support of Marathi identity was held on Tuesday, from Balaji Hotel to Mira Road railway station. Protesters alleged that the government was using the police to pressure them and that MNS leader Avinash Jadhav was arrested prior to the rally. However, after members of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction joined the protest against Jadhav’s detention, he was released and the rally was permitted to proceed.
On June 29, a shopkeeper was slapped by MNS workers for not speaking in Marathi. In response, local traders staged a protest at Mira Road against the MNS. Subsequently, MNS leader Avinash Jadhav and other party members submitted a letter to the Mira-Bhayandar police seeking permission to conduct a rally in support of the dignity of the Marathi language.
Speaking to mid-day, MNS leader Avinash Jadhav said, “We submitted a written request to the Mira-Bhayandar police to hold a rally on July 8, but they denied permission. On the night before the rally, around 3 am, I was detained by the police and taken to the detention room at Kashimira police station. Later, I was shifted to Mandvi police station in Palghar district.”
“My party and I did not break any law, yet I was detained and arrested under Section 151 of the CrPC. This protest march was solely for the dignity of the Marathi language. I was released in the morning due to the support of my party workers and Shiv Sena,” Jadhav added.
A huge crowd gathered in support of the rally. Tensions escalated in the Mira-Bhayandar area due to the Marathi language issue, raising concerns about whether the march would reach its intended destination. Nevertheless, the protesters successfully completed the march from Balaji Hotel to Mira Road station.
Amid ongoing concerns about the suppression of the Marathi language, members of the MNS, Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction), the Marathi Unification Committee, and other organisations united on Tuesday to organise the protest march.
Eventually, by afternoon, the police granted official permission, and the rally concluded with chants of “Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji” and resounding slogans in support of the Marathi language and identity.
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