MNS workers vandalize Gujarati signboards after Raj Thackeray's speech
After a speech from their party chief, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers vandalized Gujarati signboards in front of at least six hotels on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway 8 yesterday night. Hours ago, MNS Chief Raj Thackeray was speaking at a Gudi Padwa rally at Shivaji Park, protesting non-Marathi signboards outside hotels on highways. "We just followed our leader's orders," said partyman Kundan Sankhe.
Thackeray called for a "Modi-mukt Bharat" at rally
One of the demands Thackeray had made at the rally was for Marathi signboards. However, this and MNS' obsession with Marathi culture isn't new. Yesterday, Thackeray also called for a "Modi-mukt Bharat" (Modi-free India). Incidentally, the PM hails from Gujarat.
'According to rules, all signboards should be in Marathi'
A group of MNS followers then indulged in vandalism in Vasai. "As per rules, all signboards should be in Marathi, but to attract Gujarati and Rajasthani customers, hotel owners had put up boards in Gujarati," Sankhe alleged. He added they had complained to authorities earlier, but they didn't respond, "so we had to take MNS-style steps."
No arrests made yet, but police assures action
Though no arrests have been made yet, ASP Roshan Rajtilak said: "The Waliv police will register cases for rioting and mischief under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and arrest the culprits. The hotel owners have complained that their signboards were torn and vandalised."
