MNS workers Raj Thackeray influencer
A social media reel has triggered a controversy in Maharashtra after MNS workers were accused of humiliating a social media influencer over alleged remarks against party chief Raj Thackeray.
The influencer, identified as Mahesh Mote, was allegedly taken by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers after they objected to a reel that they claimed mocked Raj Thackeray.
According to report, Mote was made to prostrate before a photograph of Raj Thackeray and apologise. His face was allegedly smeared with black ink, while he was also made to perform sit-ups with slippers placed on his head.
The controversy reportedly began with a video posted by Mote around 15 days earlier.
MNS workers alleged that the video contained abusive and objectionable remarks about Raj Thackeray. The allegation prompted party workers to look for the influencer after he returned to Pune, according to statements cited in the report.
MNS sub-divisional president for the Hadapsar Assembly constituency, Shubham Jagdale, spoke about the incident in a video.
According to Jagdale, Mote had been in Kerala for around 15 to 20 days. MNS workers allegedly learnt that he had returned to Pune and was in the Katraj area.
He was then allegedly apprehended at a park in Katraj and taken to the MNS public relations office.
At the MNS office, Mote was allegedly made to lie down before a photograph of Raj Thackeray and apologise.
The report also states that black ink was smeared on his face. He was allegedly forced to perform sit-ups with slippers placed on his head before being made to record an apology video.
In the video, Mote appears distressed and emotional. With folded hands, he apologises to Raj Thackeray and MNS workers.
He says he had made inappropriate remarks about Raj Thackeray and some MNS office-bearers. He expresses regret over the reel and asks that he not be harassed further.
MNS leader Shubham Jagdale described the action as “MNS Style” in his account of the incident.
He alleged that Mote had used highly abusive language against Raj Thackeray and said the party would respond similarly to anyone making such remarks against its chief.
The videos released after the incident show Mote apologising after the alleged confrontation.
However, the report does not establish whether police have registered a case against the MNS workers involved or whether any arrests have been made.
The incident has since generated discussion on social media, with attention focused on the alleged remarks in the reel, the subsequent action by MNS workers and the public apology video.
The MNS has presented the incident as a response to alleged offensive remarks against its leader. The available reports, however, do not independently establish all aspects of the alleged confrontation.
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