On February 13 this year, when Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray was given bail minutes after being arrested for instigating violent attacks on north Indian migrants in Mumbai, the bail order said, “Raj Thackeray, in his political capacity, would never ever breach peace and tranquility in Maharashtra state, under his leadership in his entire political career.”

Seven months down the line, a series of violent incidents involving MNS activists in Mumbai and Pune have raised doubts about Thackeray’s adherence to those conditions. Consider the following:

• Within days of Thackeray being gagged last week over the Marathi signboards controversy — the third time he was gagged this year — MNS workers were booked for two incidents in connection with the trouble over Jaya Bachchan’s supposedly “anti-Marathi” comments.

• On August 15, MNS activists ransacked Pune’s Mercedes Benz school for not hoisting the Indian flag. Subsequently, Thackeray endorsed their actions at a press conference.

• In July, MNS workers damaged property at the Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT), Pune, demanding more seats for Maharashtrians. Two days later, they attacked two more educational institutions and the local income tax office for what they said was discrimination against Maharashtrians.

• Also in July, MNS activists attacked a school principal in Vikhroli in suburban Mumbai for allegedly putting up anti-Marathi statements on the school noticeboard.

In all these cases, the MNS was named, and its activists booked under Sections 120(B) and 336 of IPC — conspiracy and endangering life or personal safety of others, and unlawful assembly respectively, besides other non-cognisable sections. Sayaji Nagare, head of Thackeray’s legal team, refused to comment. But MNS spokesman Shirish Parkar said the party had “no remorse”. He said, “The police are trying to stop us from carrying forward our activism...We have to do this.”

... contd.