The statue of late Meenatai Thackeray, wife of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park was defaced with oil paint, leading to the arrest of a man on Wednesday evening, news agency PTI reported, quoting police officers.
The suspect, Upendra Pawaskar, was identified through CCTV footage, an officer said, adding that he is currently being interrogated.
The incident came to light when an onlooker noticed red oil paint on the bust and its pedestal around 6.30 am. Following this, workers of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) rushed to the site to clean the area, and the police were later informed, the officer added.
Eight teams have been formed to identify the culprits, with police reviewing footage from CCTV cameras installed in the Shivaji Park vicinity, the officer further informed.
A first information report (FIR) was registered against unidentified persons under Section 298 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) — which pertains to injuring or defiling a place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class of persons — at Shivaji Park Police Station, PTI reported.
Tensions ran high among workers of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Meanwhile, both Uddhav and his cousin Raj visited the site separately earlier in the day, following the incident.
Condemning the act, Uddhav said, “Creating unrest in Maharashtra seems to be the motive. This could be done by someone who is shy to take the name of their parents.”
He also appealed to his party workers to exercise restraint.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, condemning the incident, said, “Police will trace anti-social elements involved (in the desecration) and take action. There is no need to give political colour to the incident.”
Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde also stated that the culprits won’t be spared and strict action will be initiated against them.
“I have spoken to the police commissioner. Even the CM is looking into it,” said Shinde.
Maharashtra’s Minister of State for Home, Yogesh Kadam, described the desecration as “an emotional issue for Shiv Sainiks.”
Another minister, Shamburaj Desai, said, “‘Maasaheb’ is a matter of faith for Shiv Sainiks.”
Meanwhile, Sena (UBT) leader and Mumbai South Central Member of Parliament (MP) Anil Desai alleged that the incident reflects the failure of the state government, while local Sena (UBT) legislator Mahesh Sawant hinted that it could be politically motivated.
The incident came days after Sena (UBT) staged a ‘sindoor’ protest against the India-Pakistan cricket match in the Asia Cup on September 14.
“It happened after their rally,” Sawant said, without naming anyone.
(With PTI inputs)
