The statue of the late Meenatai Thackeray at Shivaji Park in Dadar was desecrated on Wednesday, reminding many of a similar incident that occurred in 2006. Nineteen years ago, the act had triggered widespread protests in Mumbai and the rest of Maharashtra. But this time, the response was strikingly different. The city and the state remained calm, and no major untoward incidents were reported.
According to UBT camp leaders, party chief Uddhav Thackeray had asked workers not to react to the incident. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray visited the site and obtained first-hand information from local UBT workers and leaders present about the incident. Later, cousin Uddhav, along with his son Aaditya, arrived at the spot.
Later, speaking to the media, Uddhav alleged that one could not rule out the possibility of a deliberate attempt to create unrest in the state. “Maharashtra’s peace was being tested,” Uddhav added. Meenatai, the wife of the late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray and mother of Uddhav, passed away in 1995, and as a mark of respect, a statue of her was installed at Shivaji Park.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray arrives at the spot to take stock of the situation PICS/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI
Local party workers claimed on Wednesday morning that red stains were seen on and near the statue, and it was an attempt to deface ‘Maasaheb’ as Meenatai is referred to by the Thackeray clan and almost every Shiv Sena leader and worker. Immediately after the incident, police deployed additional manpower to maintain law and order. As news spread, sainiks started gathering at Shivaji Park, which reminded many of the 2006 incident where Sainiks had turned violent, leading to law and order situations across the state.
According to local Sena workers, after spotting the stained statue, party workers immediately started cleaning it and informed senior party leaders about the incident. Accordingly, the local police station registered an FIR against the unknown person in the case.
Ruling parties condemned the incident, with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde terming the incident a cowardly act. He mentioned having spoken to the joint commissioner of police (law and order) about the matter. Stating similar views, senior BJP leader Ashish Shelar vowed stern action against the culprits.
