Seven members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) were detained by the Bhayander police on Friday for allegedly assaulting a foodstall owner for not speaking Marathi. They were allowed to go after the police served notices on them, a police official said.
The incident took place on Tuesday. A video of the assault, which went viral on social media, showed some of the attackers wearing scarves sporting the MNS symbol.
While purchasing food, one of them asked the stall owner to speak in Marathi, to which he questioned them back. While the man shouted at the shopkeeper, some others slapped the stall owner.
The police had subsequently registered a case against seven MNS members under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rioting, threatening and assault.
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The accused persons were brought to the police station. They were allowed to go after the police handed them notices, said sub-inspector Kiran Kadam.
Police are in the process of "chapter proceedings" (preventive action) against the accused persons in the case, he said.
The office of the zonal deputy commissioner of police will make them sign bonds about good behaviour, the official added.
Members of the MNS have been trying to push for the use of the Marathi language in commercial establishments and banks in the state.
Meanwhile, NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader Supriya Sule said no one should take law into his hands. Efforts should be made to teach Marathi to non-Marathi people, she added.
(with inputs from PTI)
