Uddhav, Raj Thackeray Condemn Desecration of Meenatai Statue; Police Make Arrest

On Wednesday, Unidentified individuals threw paint on the statue of the late Meenatai Thackeray, wife of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, in Mumbai's Shivaji Park. The police launched an investigation into the matter amidst outrage among Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers. Police have arrested one person in connection with the incident.

The incident came to light when a passerby noticed red paint thrown on the statue and the platform around it at around 6:30 am. Upon learning of the incident, workers of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UTB) rushed to the scene and cleaned the premises.

An official stated that the police were informed of the incident of paint being thrown on the statue. He added that eight police teams have been formed to identify the accused, and CCTV footage from the Shivaji Park area has been examined. Following this, a man has been arrested in connection with the incident. The official stated that the accused has been identified as Upendra Pawaskar, and the suspect is being interrogated.

According to the official, an FIR has been registered against unknown individuals at the Shivaji Park police station under Section 298 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) (defiling or damaging a place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class of people).

The incident has united workers of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UTB) and the Raj Thackeray-led MNS, further fueling speculation of a reconciliation between the two parties.

Amid widespread outrage among party workers, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray separately visited the site. Uddhav Thackeray condemned the desecration of his mother's statue, saying it appeared to be aimed at creating unrest in Maharashtra.

He stated that this act could have been carried out by someone ashamed to mention their parents' names and appealed to party workers to exercise restraint. Uddhav Thackeray's cousin, Raj Thackeray, demanded that the police identify the culprits within 24 hours. Maharashtra's Minister of State for Home and Revenue, Yogesh Kadam, assured strict action against the culprits.

Kadam, who is affiliated with the Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, described Meenatai Thackeray as the mother figure of all Shiv Sena workers and called the incident an emotional issue for him. The minister claimed that his father, Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam, had commissioned and installed the statue at the behest of Bal Thackeray. Shiv Sena (Ubatha) leader and MP from Mumbai South Central Lok Sabha seat, Anil Desai, alleged that the incident reflects the failure of the state government.