Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Avinash Jadhav was detained by police early on Tuesday morning ahead of the party’s rally in the Mira Road near Mumbai. The party has organised the rally to counter a protest by traders following the assault of a food stall owner who allegedly failed to speak in Marathi.
Meanwhile, as the rally proceeded in Mira Road, the police began detaining the party workers.
According to the police, the rally district, had not received police permission, according to authorities.
On Monday, police issued an order barring Jadhav, who heads the MNS’s Thane and Palghar units, from entering the Mira Bhayander area, reported PTI. He was detained from his residence in Thane at around 9.30 am, a Thane police control room officer said.
The Raj Thackeray-led MNS posted a video of the detention on social media.
Security has been heightened across the Mira Bhayander area in response to the rally.
The controversy stems from an incident on July 1, when a food stall owner in Bhayander was slapped by individuals believed to be MNS activists for not speaking in Marathi. A viral video of the incident shows several attackers wearing scarves bearing the MNS insignia.
During the altercation, one of the men asked the vendor to speak in Marathi. When the vendor questioned the demand, he was slapped by others in the group, according to an earlier statement by a police officer.
Seven MNS members were detained following the assault but were released after being served police notices. A case has been registered against them under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rioting, issuing threats, and assault.
In response, traders in the Bhayander area staged a protest, demanding strict action against the perpetrators.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Prakash Gaikwad of the Mira Bhayander-Vasai Virar (Zone 1) issued a prohibitory order on Monday restraining Jadhav from entering the area.
The order noted that Jadhav has 28 cognisable offence cases registered against him across various police stations. “His entry into the area may aggravate the situation and give rise to law and order problems,” Gaikwad stated.
MNS members have recently intensified their campaign for the mandatory use of the Marathi language in commercial establishments and banks across the state.
