Mumbai: Vandals tear Nana Chudasama poster, ransack office

On Wednesday afternoon, a group of people, allegedly from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), barged into the Marine Drive office of eminent jurist and former sheriff Nana Chudasama, and vandalised it. They even tore a poster put up by him that read, ‘Promoting Marathi welcomed, diktat not welcomed'.

The poster that was torn up. It was Nana Chudasama's reaction on the screening of Marathi films during primetime, the diktat of the state

The poster was his reaction on the screening of Marathi films during primetime, the diktat of the state government. Shaina NC, daughter of Nana Chudasama, and also the treasurer of state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said, "My father is a legitimate voice of dissent.

Shaina NC at the office after the attack. Pics/Suresh K K

He hadn't criticised the government, but he had expressed his displeasure. He had put up a poster that said ‘Promoting Marathi welcomed, diktat not welcomed'." Apparently after Chudasama left his office, the vandals got in. They allegedly threatened the peon and damaged the furniture.

"I will give the benefit of doubt to Raj Thackeray as many a times, the workers do something but the party head isn't aware. However, he (Raj Thackeray) will have to answer," said Shaina. Chudasama said he won't back down because of these acts. He added, "The banner will be back in its place in a few hours."

The Marine Drive police station has registered a case of rioting, trespass and criminal intimidation, (Sections 142, 143, 147, 149, 448, 34 of the Indian Penal Code), against 15-20 unknown people. "As per our information, we will investigate the matter. We have registered a case of rioting, trespassing, and criminal intimidation. We will look into the matter," said the police inspector investigating the matter.