They (protestors) are being misled. MSRTC employees & we've a very old relationship, in the last 40-50 years I've not missed any sessions with them. This time protest was shown wrong path & result of that is an incident of today, said Sharad Pawar
Chaos prevailed for a while as protestors threw chappals and stones and shouted slogans
CM Uddhav Thackeray condemned the incident and ordered a probe
Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil said probe will be conducted to find out if any "unknown force" was behind the "attack
Protest evoked mixed reactions from political parties
The ongoing strike since October last year by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) on Friday took an ugly turn after over 100 striking workers staged angry protests outside the NCP Chief Sharad Pawar’s Silver Oak residence in south Mumbai. They shouted slogans against Pawar accusing him of not doing anything to help them while some of them reportedly threw chappals and stones while marching towards his home. The police were taken by surprise after protesters stormed the area outside Pawar’s residence. Incidentally, Pawar enjoys Z plus security cover and today’s protest has exposed serious lapses in his security and also intelligence failure.
The police have also arrested advocate Gunaratna Sadawarte, who has been taking up the MSRTC employee’s cause in the court and outside, under IPC sections 120 B and 353.
In his reaction, Pawar said, "They (protestors) are being misled. MSRTC employees & we've a very old relationship, in the last 40-50 years I've not missed any sessions with them. This time the protest was shown the wrong path & result of that is an incident of today." Several MVA leaders including Home Minister Dilip Wasle-Patil, Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray, NCP MP Sunil Tatkare and a large number of NCP workers mobilized at Pawar’s residence to express their support and solidarity.
Hours after the incident, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray condemned the attack and directed the police to find out the brain behind it and take stern action. CM said the state government has taken steps to protect the interests of the MSRTC employees but claimed such an attack by stones, chappals were improper and unacceptable. He said he has asked the home minister Dilip Walse-Patil to take stern action against those inciting the violence.
CM, however, urged the people not to take the law into their hands in a bid to condemn today's violent protest.
The police detained advocate Gunaratna Sadawarte, who has been taking up the MSRTC employee’s cause in the court and outside, for obstructing government work.
For a few minutes chaos prevailed outside Pawar’s residence as the protestors were not in a mood to listen to repeated requests by Pawar’s daughter and NCP MP Supriya Sule to calm down while expressing her readiness to hold talks but she must ensure first that her parents who were inside the house were safe.
However, the protestors were not in a mood to listen to Sule but continued their slogan shouting and outburst against the NCP chief. Thereafter, the police came on the scene and rounded up many of the protestors and took them away. The additional police force was subsequently deployed at Pawar’s residence. Moreover, the Mumbai police have registered an FIR against 107 persons for rioting and conspiracy.
The FIR has been registered against 107 persons at Gamdevi police station of South Mumbai, among 23 of the accused are women. The accused persons include leaders of state transport employees, workers and others.
Walse-Patil said a probe will be conducted to find out if any "unknown force" was behind the "attack". He also said that this "undesirable turn" which the agitation of the striking MSRTC employees had taken was not good, and the employees should not have taken law into their hands.
‘’This is an unfortunate incident which took place suddenly. It is definitely a matter of concern that such an attack took place suddenly on a senior leader's house. We will definitely find out where the intelligence failure occurred. The Police Commissioner and Joint Police Commissioner (Law and Order) have been instructed and strict action will be taken against whoever is guilty, said Walse-Patil.
Protest evoked mixed reactions
State NCP chief and Water Resources Minister Jayant Patil said, "It is highly reprehensible to throw stones at the house of a veteran leader Sharad Pawar, who is a popular leader of Maharashtra, and we strongly condemn it.’’
Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis (BJP) claimed, "The incident at the residence of senior leader Sharad Pawar is completely wrong. No matter which party the leader belongs to, such agitation at home is not at all justifiable. I strongly condemn the incident.’’ However, he said, " MSRTC workers have been protesting for more than 5 months now. Their grievances and demands should be presented in a proper manner and on the right platform and they should be heard.’’
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale also condemned the attack but claimed that the striking employees lost the balance as they are not getting their salaries on time.
The Maharashtra Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe demanded that the police take action against protestors under the provisions of the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act.
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