'If Raj Thackeray Is Criticised...': Amid Mumbai Slap Row, MNS Goons' Warning
Goons from Raj Thackeray 's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena attacked a man in Pune's upmarket Kothrud area Thursday - for an 'objectionable' social media post about party boss Thackeray.
The police, who were too late to defend Kedar Soman, proceeded to take him into custody.
Local media said the cops are investigating the incident ahead of possible legal action.
This comes days after MNS thugs assaulted a Mumbai shopkeeper for not speaking Marathi. The attackers have yet to be arrested, despite having filmed the assault and posted it online.
The MNS has refused to apologise or even reprimand those involved in either attack.
On the Pune incident, Sandeep Deshpande, the party's Mumbai unit boss, declared, "If our party chief is criticised, then we will definitely respond."
On the Mumbai assault he echoed disquieting remarks by Maharashtra's junior Home Minister, Yogesh Kadam, who said 'action will be taken' against anyone who 'disrespects Marathi'.
Deshpande claimed the vicious slaps rained on Babulal Khimji Chaudhary were because the 48-year-old, whose shop has been a fixture in the Mira Road suburb for 20 years, had 'insulted' Marathi. "If there is an attempt to insult Marathi, we will respond. It will not be tolerated."
The two incidents of assault underline what many feel is a 'culture of fear' that has spread across Maharashtra, where insistence on the use of Marathi is a frequent issue.
The irony, though, is the MNS goons' action comes as Raj Thackeray claims credit for forcing the Maharashtra government to back down in the 'Hindi language imposition' row.
READ | In 'Hindi Imposition' Row: Raj, Uddhav Thackeray's Joint 'Victory' Rally
In that case, Raj Thackeray joined his estranged cousin, Shiv Sena (UBT) boss Uddhav Thackeray, in protesting an order that would have made Hindi the default language for primary school students, i.e., from Class I to V, including those in English-medium institutions.
In the Mumbai shopkeeper assault case, after persistent reporting by NDTV, four of the seven men who attacked Chaudhary have been questioned by the police.
READ | 72 Hours After MNS Workers Slap Shopkeeper, Cops Finally Question Accused
They were not, however, arrested. The police declined to do so saying they had not been called under legal provisions that would permit their detention at this stage.
It is unclear if the men involved in the Pune attack have been arrested either.
In Thane meanwhile, an altercation over a mobile phone recharge transaction snowballed into another Marathi langauge row, only this time a leader from Uddhav Thackeray's Sena was involved.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
an hour ago
- News18
China's Cross-Dressing Influencer ‘Films Sex With 1,600 Men Without Consent'
Last Updated: The influencer, who dresses as a woman, by wearing long dresses, wigs and heavy makeup, is accused of secretly recording private moments with more than 1000 men. A shocking scandal involving a man known as Sister Hong has come to light in Nanjing, China. The influencer, who dresses as a woman, by wearing long dresses, wigs and heavy makeup, is accused of secretly recording private moments with more than 1000 men. The videos were then shared and sold online without the men's knowledge. Many victims were unaware they were being filmed, and some were shocked to find their partners in the videos. He also used beauty filters and changed his voice while talking to men on social media. According to the South China Morning Post, the Nanjing police arrested the man, identified as Jiao, also known as Nanjing Uncle Red. He is accused of setting up a hidden camera in his home to secretly record intimacy with different men. He later shared these private videos in an online group. Reports suggest that he charged people a membership fee of 150 Yuan (approximately Rs 1700) to join the group and watch the clips. Reports claimed that Jiao is actually in his 60s and has slept with 1691 men. However, the police have said that this number seems to be exaggerated, while also claiming that he's 38 years old and they did not confirm how much money he made from selling the videos. Interestingly, Uncle Red did not ask the men for money. Instead, he only requested small gifts in return. Some visitors brought items like milk, fruit or snacks. One man even gave him half a bottle of cooking oil. Along with the videos, close-up photos showing the faces of many men were also shared online. This made the situation worse, as some of them were identified by their close families and friends. In some cases, some people even found the men's social media accounts. One man was recognised by his mother, who said he worked as an English teacher at a kindergarten. In another case, a woman was shocked to find her own fiancé among Sister Hong's victims. These unexpected exposés have triggered anger and emotional distress for many of the men involved. Jiao has been taken into police custody, and the investigation is still going on. About the Author Buzz Staff News18's viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: Latest News Novak Djokovic 'Not Planning To Finish' Wimbledon Career Yet; Eyes Comeback Next Year Sports Viral Viral Post Explains Why Owning Property Is 'Too Risky' For Indian H1B Visa Holders Agency feeds Jaipur: 71-year-old bank retiree cracks CA exam Agency feeds City Commissioner denies police threatened pvt firm manager Agency feeds Acharya Satvinder to Host Transformative Talk Show in Dubai on July 12, 2025 latest news
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Speak mother tongue, respect Hindi too: Minister G Kishan Reddy
HYDERABAD: Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan highlighted the need for Hindi at a programme organised here on Friday. 'It is very important that we all speak in our mother tongues and also respect the other languages of our country. This is also our moral responsibility. The use of Indian languages is crucial for national unity and social harmony. Hence, let us all take a pledge to preserve our mother tongues and move forward together,' Kishan said. Pawan Kalyan asks people to 'love Hindi' The Department of Official Language, MHA, organised its golden jubilee celebrations — Dakshin Samvad. Pawan Kalyan called upon the people to 'love Hindi, which is a link language in the country'. The Andhra Pradesh deputy CM said that people were learning foreign languages but indulging in politics over Hindi. Pawan Kalyan said that around 31 per cent movies were being dubbed in Hindi. 'We need Hindi for business. Then what is the objection to learning Hindi?' he asked.
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Fraudsters allegedly misuse Poshan Tracker data to target Matru Vandana beneficiaries in Mangaluru
'The pregnant and lactating women are receiving calls from unknown numbers, often impersonating officials from the concerned department. The criminals falsely claim that the beneficiaries can avail of Rs 12,000 to Rs 20,000 under the Matru Vandana scheme of the Union Government, while the actual amount provided is only up to Rs 6,000. Sensitive user information on the app is stolen by the fraudsters. These fraudsters speak in Hindi and have complete details of the beneficiaries, including the names of Anganwadi teachers," she added "To avail the financial assistance, the fraudsters ask the beneficiaries to pay some processing fee. The beneficiaries are now doubting us of having a nexus with the scam, as fraudsters also ask them to pay some amount to the Anganwadi teachers to avail the scheme,' she added. She added that they have received complaints from at least eight beneficiaries. One beneficiary of the Matru Vandana scheme said that she received a call from an unknown number and was sent a link to make a payment. 'When I paid the amount as asked, the remaining balance of ₹44,000 in my bank account was stolen,' alleged the victim. The fraudsters are also misleading the victims into believing that they must maintain a minimum balance in their bank accounts to avail the scheme. Ashalatha said they are educating the beneficiaries not to respond to such fraudulent calls and to report suspicious activities immediately. 'We have brought the issue to the notice of the local police and the Department of Women and Child Welfare,' she added.
