Mumbai: In a dramatic pre-dawn operation, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s (MNS) Thane-Palghar district president Avinash Jadhav was detained by police at 3:30 am on Tuesday, July 8, just hours before the party’s scheduled protest march in Mira-Bhayandar.
The police, who had denied permission for the march, carried out preventive action to halt what they feared could become an aggressive demonstration.
Police Crack Down on MNS Ahead of Scheduled Protest
The march, planned in response to perceived discrimination against Marathi-speaking residents in Mira-Bhayandar, was expected to begin at 10:00 am from Balaji Hotel and conclude near Mira Road station. However, in a bid to prevent unrest, police began issuing notices to MNS and Thackeray faction leaders on Monday itself.
Jadhav had refused to comply, insisting that the march would go ahead. According to ABP Majha, a large police team arrived at his residence early Tuesday morning and took him into custody. He is currently being held at Kashimira Police Station.
Following Jadhav’s detention, several other MNS office bearers from Vasai and Virar have reportedly been taken into custody, casting uncertainty over the scheduled march.
Jadhav Slams Police, Alleges Political Pressure
Despite the crackdown, Jadhav had earlier urged Marathi citizens to participate in large numbers, claiming the cause was too important to abandon. “Marathi is our mother and we are ready to take any crime for her,” he had declared, expressing strong displeasure over police action.
Jadhav alleged that the police were acting under pressure from the ruling party, and accused them of suppressing the freedom of expression of the Marathi-speaking population.
The march was intended to protest a range of grievances, from the alleged sidelining of the Marathi language, denial of housing to Marathi families, to increasing communal divisions in the city. According to organisers, the protest had unified various Marathi groups, political leaders and citizens around a common cause.
