Marathi signboards: CM warns Raj Thackeray of stringent action

Deshmukh also pooh-poohed the ‘ultimatum’ given by the MNS chief on the Marathi signboards issue. There are over 4.84 lakh shops and commercial establishments in Mumbai.

“If any MNS worker is found breaking law, he will be dealt with sternly,” Joint Commissioner (Law and Order), K L Prasad said.

Addressing MNS workers, Raj had asked ‘Marathi police to think before lathi-charging MNS workers.’

Raj said he had written a letter to police, asking them to ‘think twice before lathi-charging MNS activists involved in the agitation to enforce the Mumbai civic body’s deadline stipulating Marathi signboards on city shops by August 28.’

Raj, whose two-year old party has had confrontation with law enforcement agencies over the outfit’s strident anti-North India stance, said, “most of the shop owners have complied with the signboards deadline.”

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena president and Raj cousin Uddhav Thackeray said it was the Sena which has espoused the Marathi pride cause.

“They (MNS) want to prove their existence”, Uddhav said on Raj’s party raising the issue.