Latest news with #MarathiMorcha
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Rift within Maharashtra govt as Shiv Sena minister backs Marathi rally, slams police crackdown
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Mumbai: Differences cropped up within the Maharashtra government between BJP and Shiv Sena over the issue of Hindi language and the handling of protests by Marathi outfits in the disagreement came to fore when a Shiv Sena minister on Tuesday called out his own government for denying permission to MNS and other outfits wanting to carry out a ' Marathi Morcha ' in Mira Road over the language minister Pratap Sarnaik slammed police officials and said it was wrong to deny permission for the rally. "It is a democratic right to take out protest marches... the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti and several other organisations, including MNS, had asked for permission for the rally. Police should not work at the behest of a political leader or a political party. Police is detaining those who are going to the rally... I am going to the rally, if they want they can arrest me," Sarnaik castigated his own government after the Mira Road police denied permission to MNS and Marathi Ekikaran Samiti, an outfit committed to preserving and spreading Marathi, to take out a rally. The outfits wanted to take out a rally through the same spot where a non-Marathi speaking trader was assaulted a few days ago for not being able to speak Marathi. Traders, mainly non-Marathi speaking, had observed a day-long shut down and carried out a march in Mira Road in protest. The Marathi outfits wanted to take out a "countermarch".Justifying police action, Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said: "Police asked organisers to change route as they deliberately wanted a route where there would be some confrontation (with traders)."
News18
08-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
'Let Them Arrest Me': Shinde Sena Minister Defies Own Govt, Joins MNS Protest
Last Updated: Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Baburao Sarnaik criticised the police for their actions in halting the MNS-led rally Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Baburao Sarnaik, a senior leader from Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, on Tuesday distanced himself from his own government to join a protest led by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in Thane's Mira Bhayandar. The demonstration was organised over the language row involving traders and Marathi-speaking locals. Sarnaik criticised the police for their actions in halting the MNS-led rally, claiming there were no official instructions from the government to suppress a peaceful protest. Speaking to the media in Thane, he said, 'The police action was completely unjustified. The government has not issued any instructions to suppress a peaceful march held in support of Marathi pride. The way police are detaining people it raises doubts that they are working on some party agenda." Defying his own government, Sarnaik said he was ready to face arrest, stating, 'The Marathi Ekikaran Samiti and several other organizations had applied for the rally, but were denied permission. I am going—if the police dare, let them arrest me. I stand with those who are speaking up for Marathi asmita." Mumbai, Maharashtra: On the police denying permission for a Marathi Morcha in Mira Road, Minister Pratap Sarnaik says, 'The Marathi Ekikaran Samiti and several other organizations had applied for the rally, but were denied permission. I am going—if the police dare, let them… — IANS (@ians_india) July 8, 2025 The rally was held following an incident in which a food stall owner was allegedly assaulted for not speaking Marathi. This triggered protests by the trader community, which in turn sparked a counter-protest from MNS and other pro-Marathi groups. The MNS protest, supported by the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti and other local organisations, saw participation from hundreds of people, including workers and leaders from Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP). Protesters marched through the streets of Mira Bhayandar, raising slogans in support of Marathi identity. However, the situation turned tense when Sarnaik arrived at the protest site. Instead of a warm welcome, he was heckled by angry MNS workers, who labelled him a 'traitor" and demanded he leave. As the crowd grew agitated, the minister was forced to exit the location. Police had initially denied permission for the protest citing concerns over law and order. Despite this, MNS workers gathered in large numbers. Several of them, including Thane MNS chief Avinash Jadhav, were detained. Some were picked up before the protest began, while others were taken away as they addressed the media. In some cases, women protesters were seen being taken away in police vans. A number of MNS activists were also held overnight or kept inside a banquet hall to prevent them from joining the protest. Sarnaik has said he will raise the matter with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Let them arrest me': Maharashtra minister defies his own govt; joins MNS protest in Thane
NEW DELHI: Maharashtra transport minister Pratap Sarnaik on Tuesday criticised his own government over the denial of permission for a Marathi rally in Mira Road and joined the protest, even daring the police to arrest him. 'The Marathi Ekikaran Samiti and several other organizations had applied for the rally, but were denied permission. I am going—if the police dare, let them arrest me,' Sarnaik told reporters. The protest, led by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), came after police refused permission for a 'Marathi Morcha' in Mira-Bhayander, citing public safety and traffic disruption. The refusal followed a July 1 viral video showing MNS workers allegedly slapping a food stall owner in Bhayander for not speaking Marathi, which drew widespread condemnation. Earlier in the day, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis sharply criticised the MNS for defying police instructions. Speaking to reporters, he said, 'Maharashtra is a democratic state. If anyone wants to take out a morcha, they must take permission. The route is decided by police for reasons like crowd control and traffic management. I was informed that they were asked to take an alternate route, but they were adamant. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo Hence, the rally was not permitted.' Without naming the MNS, Fadnavis added, 'I understand the essence of Maharashtra. Marathi people are large-hearted. We are not narrow-minded. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj always stood united with the people of the nation. These experiments won't work here.' On Tuesday morning, MNS supporters were seen resisting police action amid heavy sloganeering as several were detained to prevent them from entering Mira-Bhayander. MNS leader Avinash Jadhav and other party workers were among those taken into custody. Police had registered an FIR against seven people under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rioting, assault, and criminal intimidation in connection with the July 1 incident. The accused were later released with notices. In anticipation of unrest, Mira Bhayander–Vasai Virar DCP Prakash Gaikwad had issued prohibitory orders on Monday evening.
