Mumbai: A shocking incident unfolded at Shivaji Park on Wednesday morning when the statue of late Meenatai Thackeray, wife of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, was defaced with red oil paint. The act sparked immediate outrage among Shiv Sena (UBT) workers, who rushed to the site, protested, and cleaned the statue while demanding swift action against the perpetrators.
Authorities identified the accused as Upendra Pawaskar, who was caught on CCTV cameras submitting the act. Police have taken him into custody and are interrogating him to determine the motive behind the attack. According to officials, the defacement occurred around 6:30 a.m., leaving red stains not just on the statue but also on its surroundings, drawing sharp reactions from political leaders across Maharashtra.
UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray described the incident as “highly condemnable,” warning that it could be part of a larger attempt to create unrest in the state. “Such acts are usually done by stray elements who are ashamed even to take the names of their own parents, or by those trying to replicate attempts to disturb peace as seen in Bihar recently, where PM Narendra Modi’s mother was insulted,” Thackeray said, highlighting the sensitive nature of political symbolism in India.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also weighed in, assuring that police would conduct a thorough investigation. “We will not allow this to be given any political colour. Police will take strict action against whoever is behind this,” he said, emphasizing that the state would ensure law and order. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde added that he had personally instructed senior police officials to trace the culprits within 24 hours, signaling high-level administrative oversight on the matter.
The defacement drew reactions from multiple political quarters. Yogesh Kadam, Minister of State for Home and Revenue from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction, termed Meenatai Thackeray as the “matriarch for all Shiv Sainiks” and stressed the historical significance of the statue, installed on Balasaheb Thackeray’s instructions years ago. MNS chief Raj Thackeray visited the site personally and instructed police to review all CCTV footage to ensure accountability.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai held the state government responsible for lapses in security. “This is nothing but the failure of the government,” he said, criticizing the administration for not preventing such incidents in a high-profile, symbolic location.
