MNS leader detained ahead of rally to counter traders' protest over attack on food stall owner

Police detained local MNS leader Avinash Jadhav early on Tuesday ahead of a rally planned in Thane to counter a protest staged by traders against the slapping of a food stall owner for not speaking in Marathi, officials said.

The rally, proposed by the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti in Mira Bhayander area of Maharashtra's Thane district later on Tuesday, has not been given permission by police, they said.

The police on Monday issued orders restraining the entry of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's (MNS) Thane and Palghar head Avinash Jadhav, who was supposed to participate in the rally, in Mira Bhayander area.

He was detained from his house in Thane at around 3.30 am, an official from the Thane police control room said.

The Raj Thackeray-led MNS also posted a video of his detention on social media.

Security was stepped up in Mira Bhayander area in light of the proposed rally, which has been prohibited by police, officials said.

A food stall owner in Bhayander area was slapped by some MNS activists on July 1 for not speaking in Marathi.

A video of the assault, which went viral on social media, showed some of the attackers wearing scarves sporting the MNS symbol.

While purchasing food, one of them asked the stall owner to speak in Marathi, to which he questioned them back. While the man shouted at the shopkeeper, some others with him slapped the stall owner, a police official earlier said.

Seven members of the MNS were later detained and allowed to go after the police served notices on them. A case was registered against them under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for rioting, threatening and assault.

Traders in Bhayander area had staged a protest, demanding action against those who assaulted the food stall owner.

Jadhav was restrained from entering Mira Bhayander to participate in the rally on Tuesday, as per the prohibitory order issued on Monday by Mira Bhayander-Vasai Virar (Zone 1) Deputy Commissioner of Police Prakash Gaikwad.

The order stated there were as many as 28 cases of cognizable offences registered against Jadhav at different police stations.

As Jadhav's move to come to Bhayander may aggravate the situation and give rise to law and order problems, his entry into the area has been prohibited for a day, Gaikwad said in the order.

Members of the MNS have been trying to push for the use of the Marathi language in commercial establishments and banks in the state.