Eleven Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) party workers were arrested by the MHB Colony police on Friday for sloganeering and pelting a stone at Shiv Sena politician Sanjay Nirupam's vehicle during a public meeting in Borivli West, Mumbai. The incident occurred when Nirupam was attending a meeting organized by Shiv Sena party worker Ram Yadav, aimed at auto and taxi drivers.
Background of the Incident
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik had recently announced that knowledge of Marathi would be made compulsory for licensed autorickshaw and taxi drivers from May 1. He warned that those who did not know the language risked having their permits cancelled. Yadav's event was intended to encourage auto and taxi drivers to learn basic Marathi, according to police sources.
MNS Protest and Stone Pelting
However, the MNS was under the impression that the event was against the Marathi language and held a protest. A group of MNS workers gathered and shouted slogans. One of them pelted a stone at Nirupam's vehicle. A heated exchange of words ensued, which ended in a scuffle. The MHB Colony police were informed and subsequently took the MNS workers into custody. A case has been registered against them.
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the Marathi language policy in Maharashtra. The police are investigating the matter further.
