Expect Shiv Sena workers to lock horns with the city police on Sunday as the party has accused cops of curbing the birth anniversary celebrations of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The Sena said that cops have denied new Sena mandal (units) to celebrate the event and banned bursting of firecrackers and display of traditional weapons during the processions.

The Sena has asked sainiks to defy the police directives through its mouthpiece Saamna on Saturday. “Is the state being ruled by Mughals? How can the police say no for celebrating Shivaji Jayanti and also ban processions. We have been displaying traditional martial arts of talwarbaaji (sword battles) and lathikathi (wooden sticks combat) for many years. The sainiks are angry,” a news report said on Saturday.