The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers’ protest march in support of Marathi identity was held on Tuesday, from Balaji Hotel to Mira Road railway station. Protesters alleged that the government was using the police to pressure them and that MNS leader Avinash Jadhav was arrested prior to the rally. However, after members of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction joined the protest against Jadhav’s detention, he was released and the rally was permitted to proceed.

On June 29, a shopkeeper was slapped by MNS workers for not speaking in Marathi. In response, local traders staged a protest at Mira Road against the MNS. Subsequently, MNS leader Avinash Jadhav and other party members submitted a letter to the Mira-Bhayandar police seeking permission to conduct a rally in support of the dignity of the Marathi language.

Speaking to mid-day, MNS leader Avinash Jadhav said, “We submitted a written request to the Mira-Bhayandar police to hold a rally on July 8, but they denied permission. On the night before the rally, around 3 am, I was detained by the police and taken to the detention room at Kashimira police station. Later, I was shifted to Mandvi police station in Palghar district.”