MNS workers bash PeTA activists

Updated on: 16 January,2009 09:20 AM IST |
Kaumudi Gurjar |

PEOPLE for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PeTA) activists had come to the KFC outlet at Nucleus Mall to protest about cruelty against chickens.

PEOPLE for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PeTA) activists had come to the KFC outlet at Nucleus Mall to protest about cruelty against chickens.

Three PeTA activists Smita, Christina and Jenita clad in traditional Marathi nauvari sarees had locked themselves up in wire cages.
u00a0
The nauvari saree did not go down well with some Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) activists, who not only removed the women from the cage, but also beat up PeTA's campaign coordinator Rahul Patil.
u00a0
The protestors ended up on the receiving end as MNS activists felt it was an "insult to women". MNS leader, advocate Rupali Patil, said, "MNS foiled the protests as the three women, who were locked inside the cage, were wearing nauvari sarees."

Rupali further added, "It is an insult to women. Is it necessary to show women clad in traditional outfits to show the love of animals?"

Jenita, one of the PeTA activists who was clad in the traditional saree defended the act. "We wanted to convey a message, but the MNS activists got it wrong and connected our act to Marathi culture and tradition," she said.
u00a0
Dharmesh Solanki, a PeTA activist had all acquired permission from Bund Garden Police Station. Despite that, the police rounded up PeTA activists and took them to the police station.

Meanwhile, MNS activists dispersed quietly from the venue. Defending the police move, station incharge, P I Ranjit Dure said, "No cross complaint has been registered. Hence, no arrests have been made in this regard."