Two days after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray renewed his pledge to continue his battle against north Indians in the state his men in Nashik kept his word.
This time they targeted a cultural programme organised by north Indians on the occasion of Republic Day at a school in Nashik.
On Monday, about 100 MNS workers stormed into Jijamata school and allegedly beat up the audience and the organisers claiming that they [north Indians] were trying to show their strength in the city.
They reportedly even tore down posters of the 26/11 martyrs put up at the school.
Though later the MNS termed the incident as “unfortunate”, it still blamed the organisers for the fiasco.
The party also accused the organisers of putting up “obscene posters to attract the audience and organising a song and dance programme on such an occasion”.
State MNS secretary Atul Chandak told Hindustan Times: “The programmes were being held in Bhojpuri language, which infuriated our workers. However, it is sad that such an incident occurred on such an auspicious day.”
Shouting anti-north Indian slogans and waving party flags, the workers allegedly tried to burn the makeshift tent built on the premises and chased away the audience. They then allegedly vandalised the furniture and the music system.
{{/usCountry}}Shouting anti-north Indian slogans and waving party flags, the workers allegedly tried to burn the makeshift tent built on the premises and chased away the audience. They then allegedly vandalised the furniture and the music system.
{{/usCountry}}The police have arrested 15 MNS activists and charged them with a non-bailable offence.
“We will interrogate them and strong action would be taken against such elements,” said Nashik Police Comm-issioner Himanshu Roy.