Marathi Language Row Escalates: Tensions Rise In Mira-Bhayandar As MNS, Marathi Groups Defy Police Ban, Dozens Detained

Tensions gripped Mira-Bhayandar on Tuesday as the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti went ahead with a protest march despite being denied police permission. Law enforcement responded by detaining several demonstrators and deploying additional forces to maintain order in the area.

The protest, aimed at asserting Marathi identity in the region, took place even though police had invoked Section 144 of the IPC to prevent unlawful assembly. The rally was initially planned to start from Balaji Circle and culminate at Mira Road station, but authorities had barred the chosen route due to concerns over law and order.

Detentions began late Monday night, with workers from the MNS, Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) faction, and the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti being rounded up by Kashimira Police. Despite this, large groups began assembling on Tuesday morning, triggering traffic congestion and public disruption.

MNS Thane-Palghar chief Avinash Jadhav was among those detained. Protesters alleged double standards by the police, questioning why their rally was blocked while a previous protest by local traders had been allowed. That earlier protest was sparked by an incident in which a shopkeeper was reportedly assaulted by MNS workers for not speaking in Marathi.

As the crowd swelled, police struggled to transport detainees, resorting to using autorickshaws and even converting a banquet hall into a temporary holding area due to the volume of arrests. Later in the day, police permitted the march to proceed but halted it again near Shanti Nagar, a neighborhood with a significant Gujarati and Jain population, citing further tensions. Protesters staged a sit-in, demanding to proceed. Eventually, the march concluded at Mira Road station.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed the issue in the state assembly. He clarified that the government was not against the protest itself but objected to the proposed route. “We are a democracy, and everyone has the right to protest. But the route selected posed a serious law and order risk,” Fadnavis stated. He added that alternative routes were offered, but the organizers remained inflexible.

Mumbai News: MNS Leader Avinash Jadhav Detained Ahead Of Mira-Bhayandar Rally To Counter Traders’ Protest Over Language Row

MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande accused the government of silencing dissent. “They denied us the right to protest where the actual incident took place. Asking us to shift the rally to Ghodbunder Road makes no sense. It shows their intent to suppress our voice,” he said.

In a surprising turn, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leader and Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik attempted to join the rally but was met with hostility from demonstrators. Protesters chanted slogans like “50 khoke, ekdum ok!” and forced him to retreat. However, Sarnaik later dismissed the opposition, telling the media, “No one stopped me. I’ve represented this area for 20 years and can face any challenge.”