Pune: A Maharashtra-based social media influencer was allegedly subjected to public humiliation by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers after a reel he posted was accused of making objectionable remarks about party chief Raj Thackeray.
Mahesh Mote, the social media influencer, was reportedly intercepted by MNS workers in Pune and taken to the party’s public relations office. There, he was allegedly made to lie face down before a portrait of Raj Thackeray and apologise.
The workers also reportedly blackened his face with ink, forced him to perform sit-ups while holding slippers on his head and made him record a video expressing regret over the reel.
Influencer Seen Crying In Video
In the video circulated by MNS leaders, Mote is seen in tears, with his hands folded, as he apologises to Raj Thackeray and members of the party. He also requests the workers not to continue harassing him.
“I inadvertently said something wrong about Raj Saheb, and I also mistakenly spoke inappropriately about Shubham Dada and other MNS office-bearers. Today, I deeply regret my mistake. Because of this reel, I have found myself in this predicament. I sincerely apologise to the MNS party and to all of you,” Mote said in the video.
Shubham Jagdale, the MNS sub-divisional president for the Hadapsar Assembly constituency, alleged that Mote had posted a video containing highly abusive comments against Raj Thackeray about 15 days ago, as reported by NDYV.
According to Jagdale, Mote had travelled to Kerala and remained there for around 15-20 days. MNS workers allegedly learnt that he had returned to Pune and was in the Katraj area. They subsequently tracked him down at a park and brought him to the party office.
MNS Leader Calls Punishment ‘Mahaprasad’
Jagdale said the influencer was confronted at the office and compelled to seek forgiveness before Raj Thackeray’s photograph. He referred to the alleged punishment as “Mahaprasad”, a term used by the party to describe its purported method of dealing with people who insult its leaders.
The MNS leader later described the incident as the party’s “own language” and openly called it “MNS style”. He also warned that anyone making derogatory remarks about Raj Thackeray would face similar action.
“We brought him to our office and made him lie down before a portrait of the respected Raj Saheb Thackeray and demanded an apology. In true MNS style, we gave him a fitting reply in our own language – something you might even call ‘Mahaprasad’. I believe that if anyone makes such remarks against Raj Saheb Thackeray, MNS will respond in exactly this manner,” the MNS leader stated.
