MNS Protest Intensifies in Mira Road Despite Rain; Fadnavis Says “Deliberate Route Chosen to Incite Clash”

Despite heavy rain, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers continued their protest in Mira Road, refusing to back down. Braving the weather, large crowds of men and women gathered at Om Shanti Chowk, chanting slogans and demanding that Marathi pride be respected. Their major grievance centered around alleged marginalization of Marathi speakers in favor of Gujarati and Marwari-speaking communities. Police, in equal numbers, stood their ground, detaining several protestors and loading them into municipal buses due to a shortage of police vans.The protest remained tense but mostly peaceful, though loud and defiant. The crowd’s resilience even in the rain reflected their determination to carry out the march, which had been denied permission by authorities.Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis later responded to the controversy, explaining that the MNS was denied permission because they deliberately insisted on a route that could cause traffic disruption and public disorder. “We are a democratic state. Protests are allowed with permission. But if a group demands a route where a stampede-like situation could arise, police are within their rights to suggest changes,” he said. According to him, MNS refused to comply with police suggestions, which led to the crackdown.

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