Navi Mumbai: MNS workers allegedly vandalised a bar in Panvel late on Saturday, hours after a fiery speech of their party president Raj Thackeray condemning the functioning of dance bars in the ‘sacred land’ of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Raigad.Police registered a case against 15 individuals under the relevant BNS sections following a viral video of some men storming into Night Riders Bar on the outskirts of Panvel, vandalising furniture, smashing liquor bottles, and damaging the property. Police said they have identified eight of the accused, including MNS office-bearer Yogesh Chile.While addressing a gathering at the 78th foundation day of Peasants and Workers Party (PWP), Thackeray questioned the operation of illegal dance bars in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s “sacred land” Raigad district. He further claimed that these dance bars were run by non-Marathi people who were spoiling the local youth.Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut was also present at the event.In a swift response to their leader’s remarks on illegal bars operating in Raigad, party workers targeted the Night Riders bar in Kon village near Palaspe Phata in Panvel shortly after midnight.The vandalism comes a month after Panvel MLA Prashant Thakur of BJP had objected to the sale of liquor in Kharghar node, which is a part of Panvel taluka in Raigad. However, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar had then stated in the assembly during the monsoon session of the state legislature that if Thakur wants to make Kharghar a no-liquor zone, then they must comply with the laws and get residents’ signatures that they do not want bars or liquor shops.Panvel-based activist Anarjit Chauhan alleged that the vandalism seems to be politically motivated keeping in mind the upcoming municipal elections in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.“Dance bars with women employees, like Night Riders Bar, have been operating for years, even when the MVA govt was in power in the state. If politicians see any immoral activity here, why didn’t the police take any legal action? There seems to be a political agenda here,” claimed Chauhan.Activist B N Kumar of NatConnect Foundation remarked: “While there may be politics over this liquor-bar cocktail, if the people of Panvel do not want liquor shops, then they can legally go to the authorities.”He added that recently women from a Panvel housing society had formed a human chain to protest against an upcoming liquor shop in the area. After the complaint went to the district collector and other departments concerned, the liquor shop proposal was cancelled.
