A group of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers entered a man's residence in Pune on Thursday and threatened to assault him over an offensive social media post targeting MNS Chief Raj Thackeray.
Kedar Soman, the man whose residence was surrounded by MNS workers, had posted a comment on Facebook about both Raj and Udhav Thackeray. MNS workers angered by this post, led by local MNS leader Hemchandra Sambhush, gathered outside Soman’s building. MNS workers had recorded the incident themselves and circulated it on social media. This clip has gone viral on X.
According to the Times of India, eyewitnesses said the group shouted slogans, threats, and demanded that Soman step out. To avoid confrontation, Soman locked himself in this house.
The situation quickly escalated when MNS workers threatened to beat him if he dared to step outside. The commotion attracted the attention of residents, prompting police intervention.
The Pune Police promptly arrived at the location and managed to bring the situation under control before it escalated into violence. No arrest had been made at the time of reporting. Police detained Soman for some time.
Police have registered a case against Soman under cyber laws and are investigating whether the post violated any rules or incited public disorder.
While speaking to ANI, MNS leader Hemchandra Sambhush said, "Kedar Soman made objectionable post about our leader, we reached out to his residence after verifying his identity to teach him a lesson but before we could do anything police also reached there took him in custody...we responded to this incident in MNS style first we request with folded hand if person doesn't understands us than we slap.”
MNS Mumbai unit chief Sandeep Deshpande defended the Pune action. “If our party chief is criticised, then we will definitely respond,” he said.
The attack comes after a similar incident in Mumbai where MNS workers allegedly assaulted a shopkeeper for refusing to speak in Marathi. Both these episodes have led to increased tensions amid a broader linguistic controversy in the state.
