Maharashtra Political Tensions Rise After Attack on Food Stall Owner

Seven Members of MNS Detained for Assaulting Food Stall Owner

On Friday, police reported the detention of seven members from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led by Raj Thackeray, for allegedly attacking a food stall owner who did not speak Marathi. Following this incident, a leader from the party has also been taken into custody. The altercation occurred on Tuesday in the Bhayandar area of Thane district. A video of the assault, which has since gone viral on social media, shows some assailants wearing scarves emblazoned with the MNS symbol. According to police, the conflict erupted when a customer demanded that the stall owner converse in Marathi. When the vendor questioned this request, the customer reportedly began shouting, prompting others in the group to slap the stall owner.

MNS Leader Avinash Jadhav Arrested Ahead of Planned Protest

In a recent update, police detained MNS leader Avinash Jadhav late Monday night in response to a planned protest by traders against the assault on the food stall owner for not speaking Marathi. Authorities confirmed that the police denied permission for a rally organized by the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti in the Mira Bhayandar area on Tuesday.

Police Prohibit Rally Following Assault Incident

The police have prohibited the rally's organization. Last week, a food stall owner in the Bhayandar area was slapped by MNS activists for not speaking Marathi. The video of this incident quickly spread across social media, showing some attackers wearing MNS insignia.

An officer previously stated that while purchasing food, one of the assailants demanded that the stall owner speak in Marathi, to which the owner objected. This led to the assailant yelling at the vendor, and others in the group joined in to slap him.

Subsequently, seven MNS members were detained and later released after receiving notices from the police. They face charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code for rioting, threatening, and assault. Traders in the Bhayandar area protested, demanding action against those who attacked the food stall owner.

Restrictions Imposed on Jadhav's Entry into Mira Bhayandar

According to a prohibitory order issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police Prakash Gaikwad for the Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar area, Jadhav is barred from entering the region to participate in the rally on Tuesday. The order noted that Jadhav has 28 registered cases against him across various police stations.

Gaikwad stated that allowing Jadhav into Bhayandar could escalate tensions and lead to law and order issues, hence the one-day restriction on his entry. Notably, MNS members are advocating for the use of Marathi in commercial establishments and banks throughout the state.