His visit to the Nerul police station, which was otherwise expected to be a brief procedural formality, turned into a major show of strength as several hundred MNS workers gathered in support, chanting slogans and accompanying him in a large procession
Pic/X
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray on Sunday accepted a police notice issued to him for allegedly inaugurating the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Nerul without official permission.
His visit to the Nerul police station, which was otherwise expected to be a brief procedural formality, turned into a major show of strength as several hundred MNS workers gathered in support, chanting slogans and accompanying him in a large procession.
In a post on X, the Maharashtra Navnirman Vidhyarthi Sena said the statue had been “gathering dust for the past four months” and claimed it was opened for public viewing under Thackeray’s guidance. “An FIR was filed against Amit Thackeray, but he gladly accepted this ‘first offence’ for the honour of Maharaj. Today, after offering a respectful salute before the image of Shivaji Maharaj, Mr. Amit Thackeray, along with hundreds of Maharashtra Sainiks, marched on foot to the local police station and formally accepted the notice issued by the police,” the post read.
चार महिन्यांपासून धूळ खात असलेल्या छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराजांच्या पुतळ्याचा लोकदर्शनासाठी श्री. अमित ठाकरे यांच्या मार्गदर्शनाखाली महाराष्ट्र सैनिकांनी खुला केला.
— MNVS Adhikrut - मनविसे अधिकृत (@MNVS_Adhikrut) November 23, 2025
या आंदोलनात अमित ठाकरे यांच्यावर FIR दाखल झाला, पण महाराजांचा सन्मान होण्यासाठी त्यांनी तो “पहिला गुन्हा” आनंदाने… pic.twitter.com/NZ5BHFOObu
Before reaching the police station, Thackeray offered a floral tribute to the statue and then walked with MNS office-bearers, Navi Mumbai functionaries and local supporters. His supporters said the act was aimed at opposing “unnecessary delays” in unveiling completed statues of the revered Maratha king.
Police had earlier registered a case against Thackeray — son of MNS chief Raj Thackeray — and nearly 70 others after a crowd allegedly forced open the cover of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue last week. The incident took place despite an officially scheduled ceremony by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC).
Addressing a gathering on Sunday, Amit Thackeray said he was prepared to face more such cases if required. “I am ready to face many more such cases,” he said. He added that several statues of iconic historical figures across Maharashtra were awaiting formal inaugurations due to administrative delays. “Those statues will also be inaugurated. We will not allow our icons to remain covered,” he asserted.
Thackeray also announced that the MNS would soon launch a state-wide campaign focused on conserving Maharashtra’s historical forts, calling it an important responsibility for the younger generation.
He welcomed Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske’s remarks opposing the official unveiling planned on Friday by state forest minister Ganesh Naik. The statue had remained covered for nearly five months despite being completed. While the NMMC had scheduled an official ceremony with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as chief guest, Shinde did not attend the event, leading to further political friction over the issue.
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