Raj Thackeray: Pune-based influencer Mahesh Mote allegedly made to fall on the ground, do sit-ups and record apology | Today’s news
Social media influencer Mahesh Mote was reportedly humiliated by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers in Pune over a reel the party claimed mocked MNS chief Raj Thackeray.
Mote was reportedly confronted by MNS workers and taken to the party’s public relations office, where videos released by MNS leaders showed him with black ink smeared on his face. He was also forced to prostrate in front of a photograph of Raj Thackeray, perform sit-ups with slippers on his head and record an apology.
Influencer apologizes to Raj Thackeray
In the video, Mote is seen in tears as he apologizes to Raj Thackeray and MNS workers. With folded hands, he offers an “unconditional” apology and begs the workers not to bother him any further.
“I inadvertently said something bad about Raj Saheb and also made inappropriate comments about Shubham Dada and other office bearers of MNS. Today I deeply regret my mistake. Because of this reel I got into this predicament. I sincerely apologize to MNS party and all of you,” Mote said in the apology video.
The incident was reportedly linked to a video posted about 15 days ago. Shubham Jagdale, MNS sub-divisional president for Hadapsar Assembly constituency, alleged that Mote had used extremely abusive language against Raj Thackeray in the video.
MNS workers reportedly followed Mote after his return to Pune
According to Jagdale, Mote was in Kerala for about 15-20 days. MNS workers reportedly came to know that he has returned to Pune and is in the Katraj area. They then reached a park in Katraj, detained him and brought him to the MNS public relations office.
Jagdale said Mote was addressed as ‘Mahaprasad’ in the office and described it as the party’s signature way of responding to remarks against its boss, NDTV reported.
MNS leader calls incident ‘MNS style’
Jagdale later described the episode as “MNS style” and said that anyone who insulted Raj Thackeray would face the same reaction.
“We brought him to our office and made him lie down in front of the portrait of respected Raj Saheb Thackeray and demanded an apology. In true MNS style, we gave him a befitting reply in our own language – something you might even call ‘Mahaprasad’. I believe if anyone makes such remarks against Raj Saheb Thackeray, the MNS will respond in exactly the same way,” the MNS leader said.
Videos of Mote’s apology and the alleged incident have since surfaced online. Reports available so far do not indicate whether the police have registered a case or taken action against the MNS workers involved.
