Maharashtra Minister Pratap Sarnaik Heckled by MNS Workers During Marathi Language Protest in Mira Bhayandar

Thane, July 8 – Maharashtra Minister Pratap Baburao Sarnaik faced an unexpected backlash on Tuesday as he joined Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers in Mira Bhayandar during a protest over a Marathi language controversy. Despite aligning himself with the protestors’ cause, Sarnaik was heckled and branded a “traitor” by MNS members, forcing him to leave the protest site amid rising tensions.

The unrest was sparked by a recent incident in which a food stall owner was allegedly attacked for not speaking Marathi. The episode led to protests by local traders and a vociferous counter-protest by the MNS, which has long championed the cause of promoting the Marathi language in the state.

Breaking ranks with his government, Sarnaik publicly challenged the state administration earlier in the day, asserting, “The police can try to arrest me, but I will still stand with the Marathi cause.” However, his gesture did little to appease MNS protestors, who accused him of political opportunism and refused to let him address the gathering.

Police detained several MNS activists, including Thane district chief Avinash Jadhav, as they attempted to carry out a protest march. Authorities stated that the march was unauthorized, as it was planned along a route that posed logistical and security challenges.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified the administration’s stance, saying, “It would be wrong to say that the MNS was denied permission to protest. They had asked for a specific route which could not be approved for safety reasons. An alternate route was suggested, but they refused.”

Echoing this view, State Minister Yogesh Ramdas Kadam denied any political motive behind the denial of protest permission. “There is no politics in this decision. The proposed location could have created problems. We asked them to shift the venue, but they did not agree,” Kadam said.

The Marathi language issue continues to remain a flashpoint in Maharashtra politics, with the MNS intensifying its campaign for the promotion of the language in public spaces and businesses. The latest developments underscore the complex political dynamics at play, even among supposed allies.