MUMBAI: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers in Pune assaulted and publicly humiliated social media influencer Mahesh Mote over a video reel allegedly mocking party chief Raj Thackeray. Mote was intercepted by party activists, taken to a local party office, smeared with black ink, and forced to perform sit-ups with slippers on his head before prostrating before Thackeray’s photograph. Mote subsequently issued a tearful apology video. MNS leaders defended the vigilante action as a “fitting reply”, while police reported that no formal complaint has been filed.
The MNS workers were upset over a video posted by Mote around two weeks ago criticising Raj Thackeray. According to reports, Mote had been in Kerala for the past 15–20 days. After MNS workers learned that he had returned to Pune and was in the Katraj area, they apprehended him at a park and took him to the MNS office
In a video posted on his Instagram handle, Mote can also be seen slapping himself with the slipper. Standing next to Shubham Jagdale, local MNS leader, Mote was seen teary eyed, apologising for his reel with folded hands.
“I inadvertently said something wrong about Raj Saheb, and I also mistakenly spoke inappropriately about Shubham Dada and other MNS office-bearers. Today, I deeply regret my mistake. Because of this reel, I have found myself in this situation. I sincerely apologise to the MNS party and to all of you,” Mote said in the apology video.
The party members defended the retaliation by alleging that the influencer used objectionable language and derogatory remarks against their leader. In a separate video uploaded to Instagram handle of Jagdale, the MNS activist claimed the influencer had posted a clip about 15 days ago containing abuse aimed at party chief Raj Thackeray. Bragging about the party’s reaction, Jagdale said that Mote was given “Mahaprasad”. He described the apology by Mote as “MNS style” and warned that anyone who insulted Raj Thackeray would face a similar fate.
While Mote reportedly declined to file a formal complaint, the violent episode has sparked intense scrutiny regarding local law and order and the rise of vigilante mob justice.
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