Thanks, buddy: Viren Shah and other traders celebrate the high court's interim order yesterday. PIC/Narendra Dangiya

The high court yesterday came down heavily on the state government for their failure to take appropriate action against Raj Thackeray and signatories of the MNS. The shop keepers' association had moved the court seeking protection from the MNS.

The court observed that the notice and threat to the shopkeepers came a month before the deadline to put up the Marathi signboards, but the police till date had not taken any preventive action. "In such a case, the state should give a statement that they are incompetent to handle this situation and then we will pass an order accordingly," the court observed.

The court further asked the government pleader, "What preventive action has been taken by the police? Have the police interrogated the signatories of the party? What authority does the party have? Or were the letters sent to shopkeepers about changing the signboards to Marathi in the form of a request?"

The court has granted interim protection to shopkeepers and has restrained Raj from making any public statement regarding Marathi signboards.

Viren Shah is the man of the moment

The man who took the signboard issue to court is happy after the high court judge restrained Raj Thackeray and his party members from indulging in violence or making provocative speeches.

Viren Shah, who owns the Crawford Market shop Roopam, told MiD DAY, "My fight is not over yet. We have got a temporary victory, but now I want to help traders get rid of their fear. That's why I will hold meetings with traders from MNS strongholds like Dadar, Thane, Kalyan and Dombivli."

Shah is also the joint secretary of the Federation of Retail Traders' Welfare Association.

"To fight injustice, I will need the help of fellow traders. We still have a lot of battles to fight," he added.

Yesterday, after the court's decision, several traders distributed sweets and even acknowledged Shah's role in it.