Marathi protest turns tense; MNS detained, min heckled

The march organised by the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and other pro-Marathi groups under the aegis of Marathi Ekikaran Samiti to counter a protest staged by traders recently against the slapping of a food stall owner by MNS workers July 1 for not speaking Marathi

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

High drama unfolded in Mira Bhayandar area near Mumbai Tuesday as hundreds took part in a protest march led by the MNS and other groups to defend the Marathi ‘asmita’ (pride) amid rising political heat following the attack on a shopkeeper for refusal to speak Marathi.

The march witnessed detention of several activists by the police with leaders and workers of opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) also joining the protest. Shiv Sena minister Pratap Sarnaik was heckled and driven away by angry demonstrators as he visited the site to express solidarity.

The march organised by the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and other pro-Marathi groups under the aegis of Marathi Ekikaran Samiti to counter a protest staged by traders recently against the slapping of a food stall owner by MNS workers July 1 for not speaking Marathi.