Mumbai: The V P Road Police have registered a case against three Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers for allegedly assaulting a shopkeeper in South Mumbai’s Girgaon area and circulating a video of the incident. Following the FIR, the police have issued notices to the accused, summoning them for questioning.
The case has been registered against MNS workers Kuldip Bapardekar, Arjun Jadhav, and Nagesh Hatankar under sections 127(2), 115(2), and 3(5) of the BNS Act. Investigations are ongoing.
The altercation reportedly occurred after a Marathi woman, Vimal Mhaskar, complained to MNS workers about a Marwari shopkeeper, Babulal Prajapti, who allegedly insisted on speaking in Marwari with her while she was shopping. In response, the MNS workers confronted the shopkeeper, slapped him, and recorded the act. The video of the assault was shared widely on social media on Tuesday, November 3, prompting the police to take action.
In #Mumbai #MNS workers slap shopkeepers in the Girgaon area of South Mumbai,after he ask women to speak to him in Marwadi instead of Marathi
Shopkeepers says Now’ BJP emergence to power in the state,अब मारवाड़ी में बात करने का मराठी में नहीं,अब बीजेपी की सत्ता आई है। pic.twitter.com/UMyAtOcbxE
— Indrajeet chaubey (@indrajeet8080) December 3, 2024
The V P Road Police have stated that further inquiries are underway to gather evidence and determine the exact sequence of events. The accused MNS workers are expected to provide their statements soon. This incident has sparked debates about linguistic tolerance and appropriate behavior in public spaces, with authorities urging citizens to report grievances through legal channels instead of resorting to violence.
