Stores on Pune’s Jangali Maharaj Road did not have Marathi signage, therefore party members of the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) vandalized and threw stones at them on Friday. According to the police, seven or eight people have been taken into custody in relation to the incident.
Following a letter from the MNS to the Pune Municipal Corporation threatening legal action against any shop in the city without a Marathi sign board, the shops were attacked. According to reports, the MNS threatened agitation if the civic organization did not take action against these shops.
As per the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act amendment of 2022, it is mandatory for all shops and commercial establishments within the state to erect signboards in Marathi. The Supreme Court noted in September of this year that Mumbai stores are not free from this requirement.
One of the people being held for the vandalism is MNS Pune chief Sainath Babar, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sandeep Gill. Gill continued by saying that after CCTV footage is examined, more action will be taken against the MNS employees.
If prompt action would have been taken, according to Sainath Babar, the party workers would not have begun their agitation. He said that in spite of the Supreme Court’s directive, the authorities did not act. “Why would we object if they had acted promptly? But we’ve taken to the streets because of inaction,” the MNS leader remarked.
Additionally, he said that the Friday vandalism was only a “trailer” and that the party will intensify its protests against these types of stores. According to Babar, a number of MNS members are facing legal action for their agitation.
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