Thane mayor, Shiv Sena workers arrested for ridiculing Abu Azmi

Thane Mayor Ashok Vaity, Shiv Sena’s district deputy chief Naresh Mhaske and four other Sena workers were arrested on Monday over an objectionable hoarding and alleged vandalising of one of its members’ car, reports HT Correspondent.

Thane Mayor Ashok Vaity, Shiv Sena’s district deputy chief Naresh Mhaske and four other Sena workers were arrested on Monday over an objectionable hoarding and alleged vandalising of one of its members’ car.

HT Image

“We had registered a case of rioting and violation of prohibitory orders. They were later released on bail,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police (Naupada division) R.S. Tadvi.

The hoarding was put up by the Sena on Sunday near Cadbury junction in Thane (West) following the party’s win in Bhiwandi (East) assembly by-poll. The hoarding had a caricature of Sena MLA Eknath Shinde, carrying the saffron flag, standing on Abu Azmi’s back. It said: “Aamhi bolath nahi, karoon dakhavtho. Abuchya kaanakhali marathicha kankhanith awaaz. (We do no speak, we believe in action. Marathi’s thunderous slap on Azmi’s temple.)

Samajwadi Party members demanded the hoarding be brought down. They alleged that party member Janardan Singh’s car was vandalised by Sena workers. Mhaske refuted the allegation, saying they had nothing to do with the car’s damage.

Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi condemned the incident. “I could have put up 500 such banners in Bhiwandi. Those responsible must be punished.”