- By Chetna Shree
- Wed, 09 Jul 2025 02:14 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Washim Toll Plaza Video: In yet another case of vandalism, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers were seen destroying the Dhumka Tondgaon Toll Plaza in Maharashtra’s Washim district, alleging a lack of basic facilities and incomplete road work to Kanergaon. The workers also accused the toll plaza staff of collecting taxes without proper facilities.
The shocking incident took place at Dhumka Tondgaon Toll Plaza, where the MNS Vahan Sena district Chief Gajanan Vairagade, along with the city President Umesh Tolmare, led the protest. A viral video shows MNS workers vandalising the toll booth with sticks. Soon after the incident, the police started the investigation. There was no update about any arrests in this case from the officials.
The MNS in the past few days has garnered headlines, albeit for all the wrong reasons. Earlier last week, a video went viral in which MNS workers can be seen assaulting a shop owner on Mira Road in Thane district who refused to speak Marathi. The incident sparked severe backlash with ruling alliance leaders, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, condemning the "hooliganism" in the name of language.
An FIR was also lodged against seven MNS workers under charges of criminal intimidation, provoking breach of peace, causing hurt and rioting. "We took this case on priority and have completed all the formalities from our end," said a senior officer of Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar police, as quoted by The Times of India. On July 3, the Mira-Bhayandar Vyapari Sangh also organised a protest against the assault.
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On Saturday, five MNS supporters were arrested for the attack on investor Sushil Kedia's office in Worli after he dared MNS chief Raj Thackeray and refused to learn Marathi. Hours after the attack, Kedia apologised for the social post, claiming he had overreacted and also professed admiration for Thackeray.
MNS workers on Tuesday (July 8) also staged a massive protest in the Mira-Bhayandar area in Thane district to defend the Marathi 'asmita' (pride) amid rising political heat. The march witnessed the detention of several activists by the police, with leaders and workers of the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) also joining the protest.
