Mumbai Metro-3 Aqua Line: Shiv Sena (UBT) Workers Booked For Protest Over 'Kotak' Name On CSMT Metro Signboard

Mumbai: A protest by workers of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) erupted at the entrance B-2 of the CSMT underground metro station, located near KEM Hospital, over the naming of the station. The agitation followed the unveiling of a signboard bearing the name "Kotak Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Metro" by metro authorities, which the party workers claimed was disrespectful to the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The protesters objected to placing the name "Kotak" before the Maratha king’s name, alleging it was an insult to his historic legacy. According to police officials, constable Prakash Devji Langhi and PSI Khot from the Azad Maidan Police Station were patrolling the area based on intelligence inputs when they witnessed a group of around 14 to 15 protestors shouting slogans such as “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ki Jai” and “Down with BJP Government.”

In an act of defiance, the protestors used white stickers to cover the word "Kotak" on the newly installed metro signboard. Despite multiple warnings from police to vacate the premises and halt the protest, some protestors complied, while others continued their demonstration.

The Azad Maidan Police have since registered a case against the protestors under Section 223(3)(5) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 68 and 140 of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951. Among those booked are Mangesh Hariram Sawant (54), Jaywant Prakash Naik (38), Santosh Vinayak Gharat (52), Santosh Shyamrao Shinde (50), Rajesh Jaysingh Hajare (48), and 10 others.Further investigation is underway.