Mumbai: Paint thrown on Meenatai Thackeray’s bust at Shivaji Park; Sena (UBT) vows protest

Shiv Sainiks at Meenatai Thackeray bust in Dadar. Pic/Ashish Rane

Tensions flared at Shivaji Park in Dadar on Wednesday morning after Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders and party workers discovered that the bust of Meenatai Thackeray, wife of the late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, had been defaced.

According to local party members, unknown miscreants allegedly attempted to deface the bust by spraying colour on it during the early hours of the day.

Amid the chaotic situation, former mayor and UBT camp leader Kishori Pednekar mentioned that it looked like someone had tried to throw kumkum (Sindoor) on the Meenatai bust.

"Is someone trying to deliberately create anger among Shiv Sainiks so that someone could politically benefit from it, is what we fear," Kishori Pednekar added.

As soon as the information about the issue went viral, the authorities immediately started the process of cleaning the bust, according to senior party leaders. They also called senior police officials to brief them about the development.

In response, Mumbai Police deployed additional personnel around Shivaji Park to prevent any law-and-order situation. Minister of State for Home, Yogesh Kadam, assured that a detailed investigation has been ordered and stern action will be taken against the culprits.

In view of the issue, Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders demanded the arrest of those involved in the defacement of the late Meenatai's bust at Dadar.
This is not the first time the bust has been desecrated. Earlier in 2006, a similar incident was reported and had even sparked violent protests in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra.

Meanwhile, the deputy chairman of the state legislative council, Neelam Gorhe, also condemned the incident. She urged Shiv Sainiks to stay calm and not take the law-and-order situation into their own hands.

Several leaders, including MNS chief Raj Thackeray, Shiv Sena UBT MLC Milind Narvekar, senior party leader Diwakar Raote, and local MLA (Mahim constituency) Mahesh Sawant, visited the spot as soon as they received information about the defacement of the Meenatai bust.

MLA Mahesh Sawant, while speaking on the situation, said, "Police are scanning the CCTV footage. In some time, we will come to know what exactly has happened and who all are involved in this cowardly act."

There are also reports that Shiv Sena UBT leader Uddhav Thackeray will be visiting the spot by afternoon.

BJP leader Gopichand Padalkar condemned the incident and said, "Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will ensure quick action against the culprits." Reports also indicated that Shiv Sainiks in Buldhana (Vidarbha region) escalated their protest over the Mumbai incident.