Maha war over MNS rally in Thane, Sena minister tries to join protest

Fadnavis says Raj outfit insisted on a specific route which posed law & order challenges

- SUDHIR SURYAWANSHI @Mumbai

HUNDREDS took part in a protest march led by the MNS and other groups to defend the Marathi 'asmita' (pride) in Mira Bhayandar area in Thane near Mumbai on Tuesday 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 was organised by the Raj Thackeray-led 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 on July 1 for not speaking Marathi.