Mumbai News: Case Filed Against 250+ Sena (UBT) & MNS Workers Over Anti-Hindi Protest, Circular Burning At Azad Maidan | File Pic (Representative Image)
Mumbai: The Azad Maidan Police have registered a case against around 250–300 workers and leaders of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for staging a protest without prior permission and burning a symbolic copy of a government circular mandating Hindi as the third language in primary education.
According to the FIR filed by Police Constable Suraj Dhondiram Khot (32), currently posted as “Mills Special” at the Azad Maidan Police Station, the incident occurred between 2:00 PM and 3:30 PM on June 29. The protest was reportedly organized by Dr. Deepak Pawar, representing the School Education Study and Action Coordination Committee, at the Marathi Patrakar Sangh building near MCGM Road.
Following the meeting, hundreds of protesters—including senior leaders and party workers—gathered unlawfully on the footpath outside the venue without prior police permission. Armed with flaming torches, they chanted slogans such as “Uddhav Thackeray, march ahead—we stand with you” and “Down with the Mahayuti government,” while publicly burning printed copies of the state circular enforcing Hindi.
Additionally, the protesters burned an effigy wrapped in copies of the circular while chanting slogans against the imposition of Hindi. Despite the presence of police officers—including Inspector Padwal, API Shah, PSI Linge, and others—the protesters ignored official warnings and continued the demonstration, thereby violating lawful orders and Section 144 imposed by the Police Commissioner.
According to DCP Dr. Pravin Mundhe, the protest involved slogan-shouting and the burning of a symbolic copy of the circular, which the police say constituted a breach of public order. A case has been registered under Sections 189(2), 190, and 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, along with Section 123 of the Maharashtra Police Act, at Azad Maidan Police Station. Further investigation is underway.
The named accused in the FIR include Dr. Deepak Pawar, President of Marathi Abhyas Kendra and event organizer; Santosh Shinde, Shiv Sena (UBT) Division Head; Santosh Gharat, Shiv Sena (UBT) Shakha Pramukh; Vaibhav Mayekar; Shashi Pawar; Yugendra Salekar, Division Coordinator; and Santosh Veer, along with approximately 250–300 unidentified participants.
