Mira Bhayandar: In a dramatic turn of events on Tuesday, Maharashtra Minister Pratap Baburao Sarnaik, who arrived in Mira Bhayandar to support the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s (MNS) protest over the ongoing language row, was met not with gratitude but with hostility. MNS workers, accusing him of betrayal, shouted slogans against him and forced him to leave the protest site.
The unexpected backlash came despite Sarnaik’s earlier defiance of his own government’s stance. Ahead of the protest, he had openly challenged the administration by stating, “Let the police try to arrest me, I will still join the protest.” However, as tensions escalated and the crowd grew aggressive, the Minister had no choice but to retreat from the scene.
The protest, organized by MNS in response to a growing controversy over the Marathi language’s use in local commerce, was marred by detentions. Several MNS leaders and workers, including Thane district president Avinash Jadhav, were taken into custody by the police after they attempted to carry out a march despite prohibitory orders.
Reacting to the situation, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified that the protest wasn’t denied permission outright. “It would be wrong to say that we did not permit the protest at Mira Road. They were granted permission for a meeting but insisted on marching through a route that was not viable for law and order reasons. We offered an alternate route, which they refused,” Fadnavis told reporters outside the Assembly.
Minister Yogesh Ramdas Kadam also defended the government’s position, saying the denial of permission had no political motive. “The route they wanted could have created problems. We clearly told them that if they chose another location, we would grant permission. They did not agree,” Kadam said.
