MUMBAI: A portion of the stage set up for
Shiv Jayanti
celebrations in Goregaon crashed on Saturday morning when Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray was on it. MNS leaders said that the stage caved in since too many people were on it and the structure could not bear the weight. Thackeray was reported to be safe and did not suffer any injuries.
"Raj saheb inaugurated an office of an MNS functionary in Chandivali and then came for the Shiv jayanti event in Goregaon. There was a huge crowd and he had asked the crowds to get back but they kept on climbing onto the dais. Raj saheb was in front of the stage so nothing happened to him. After the incident, he looked back and told the activists to be careful. He then continued the program. At this time, he appealed to MNS workers to celebrate Shiv Jayanti according to the Hindu calendar," an MNS functionary said.
"MNS’s shakha number 40 at Goregaon was inaugurated by Raj Thackeray. As Raj Thackeray was coming, hundreds of activists had gathered in Goregaon. A grand stage was also erected. After the arrival of Raj Thackeray, the activists formed a crowd around him. Thackeray inaugurated the Shakha. When he came on stage, several activists also gathered there. The centre of the stage suddenly collapsed. Some women got stuck as it caved in, but the MNS workers rushed to the spot and got the women out," the functionary said.