‘Anti-Marathi’ banner: Mumbai ex-sheriff’s office vandalised

Shaina NC files a police complaint. (Express photo by: Vasant Prabhu)

By: Krysta Pancras

A group of people, allegedly MNS workers, Wednesday vandalised the office of Nana Chudasama, former Mumbai sheriff and father of BJP leader Shaina NC, in protest against his “anti-Marathi” banner. The vandals also tore down the banner, which was placed in front of Chudasama’s Churchgate office and read “Promoting Marathi Welcomed, Diktat not Welcomed.”

Last week, the state government made it mandatory for multiplexes to screen Marathi films in prime time slots. Following an outcry, Maharashtra’s Education Minister Vinod Tawde held a meeting with owners of multiplexes and Marathi film producers after which it was agreed that Marathi films would be screened as per demand between noon and 9 pm. It was against this backdrop that Chudasama had put the banner.

Nafiza Petiwala, an employee at Chudasama’s office, said, “I was working in the office when two men barged in and asked us to remove the banner saying Nanaji had ordered them to remove it. Suddenly, around 20 more men came in and began breaking things. They even pushed the peon around.”

After the incident, Chudasama said, “I feel sad it was interpreted in this way. I live in Maharashtra and was born in Nashik. I am a proud Maharashtrian. I was surprised. But the banner will be up again in two hours.” Chudasama has been putting up banners at Marine Drive with one-liners on current events in the city for more than 40 years.

“The banner is not anti-Marathi… This is all cheap publicity,” said Shaina.

Source:: Indian Express