MNS Workers Detained In Mira-Bhayandar: 'They Didn't Follow Route', CM Fadnavis Defends Police Action

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday defended the police for denying permission to the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for a protest march against local traders in Thane's Mira-Bhayandar area. Notably, the march was to be taken out by MNS workers from the Balaji Hotel at 10 am today.

Speaking to reporters, Fadnavis said that he had a discussion with the Commissioner of Police about the situation prevailing in the area. As per the Maharashtra Chief Minister, the CP told him that the MNS was adamant to take out the rally on a route which would have created inconvenience to the people of the area. The police requested MNS workers to change their route, but they did not agree, Fadnavis told the media.

Maharashtra CM's Press Briefing:

"In Maharashtra, everyone has the right to take out a march. They can take out a protest march only after taking police permission. There are traffic issues, stampede risks, etc., which need to be considered," Fadnavis said.

"Whosoever wants to take out a rally can do so, but after taking permission. The police can ask protesters to change the route of their rally if there are traffic issues or a threat of a stampede. When I asked the Police Commissioner, he told me that he had asked them (MNS leaders) to change the route, but they were adamant about taking the same route. This is why the police denied the permission," the Maharashtra CM told reporters.

While commenting on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey's 'patak patak ke maarenge statement, Fadnavis said that the leader of his party did not threaten common Marathi people, but he targeted only those organisations which started this controversy.

"Whatever Nishikant Dubey has said, he has not said it for the common Marathi people, but for those organisations which have fuelled this controversy," Fadnavis said.

"I believe that Nishikant Dubey's statement was not completely correct. No one can deny or forget the contribution of Maharashtra in the progress of the country, and if someone does so, it would be completely wrong," the Maharashtra CM added.

Earlier in the day, the police had denied permission for the MNS march. The authorities also imposed Section 144 in the area. The police detained many office bearers of the party, including Avinash Jadhav.

MNS Workers Detained:

Visuals of cops detaining the MNS workers also surfaced online. MNS workers questioned the authorities for allowing traders to take out a protest march, but denying them permission.

ACP's Statement:

The controversy erupted last week after 44-year-old Babulal Chaudhary was slapped and threatened by the seven MNS members. Chaudhary runs the 'Jodhpur Sweet Shop' in Mira Road. According to reports, the dispute started after one of Chaudhary's employees spoke to the MNS members in Hindi. The video of the incident went viral on social media.

The incident sparked massive outrage in the area against the MNS.

Dubey also waded into the matter and threatened Shiv Sena (UBT) Uddhav Thackrey and his cousin MNS head Raj Thackeray. He challenged them to come to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar once.

"Come to UP, Bihar or Tamil Nadu. Tumhe patak-patak ke maarenge (people will thrash you black and blue),” Dubey said.

Notably, Thackeray cousins reunited after two decades over the Marathi language issue to counter the BJP.

Published on: Tuesday, July 08, 2025, 11:58 AM IST