Bullied by MNS,sweets shop drops Karachi name

This is the 25th year of my shop. I arrived in Mulund Colony as a refugee from Pakistan when I was 12 and I never faced any problems all these years and wouldnt want any now, Sachdev said. If obliging them (the MNS activists) would ensure that my business continues normally,I am willing to meet their demands.

Shops and restaurants across Mumbai with names associated with Pakistan or Pakistani cities were wary of speaking on the issue. They said since they had not received any instructions from the MNS,they would just wait and watch. Several sweetshops are part of the Karachiwala chain,famous for their Karachi halwa and other sweets.

On January 16,a couple of local MNS representatives had handed over a letter to Sachdev,asking him to comply with their demand in 10 days. In two days,a sheet of paper covered the shops name.

A police van also stationed itself opposite the shop and Deputy Commissioner of Police Dilip Sawant met Sachdev and assured him police protection.

After being directed by a police official,Sachdev grudgingly removed the paper sheet covering his shops board on Friday,but he maintained that he will rename his shop.

In the evening,the police arrested six MNS representatives including Rajendra Deshmukh who had signed the letter. We had given the letter to Sachdev and notified the police as well. Our motive was to discourage any Pakistani symbols,especially after 26/11. However,they have arrested us even when we didnt do anything, Deshmukh said.