'Won't allow such obscenity to thrive in Maharashtra': MNS workers vandalise dance bar in Panvel; watch

NAVI MUMBAI: MNS workers vandalised a bar in Panvel late Saturday night, just hours after MNS leader Raj Thackeray addressed a gathering at the 78th foundation day of the Peasants and Workers Party (PWP) in Panvel taluka, where he condemned "immoral activities" taking place in the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji, Raigad.In his speech, Thackeray criticised the dance bar culture and other immoral activities reportedly taking place in the region, despite Raigad district being the hallowed land of Shivaji. MNS workers stormed into the Night Riders bar near Palaspe Phata in Panvel and damaged glass decorations and furniture. Panvel police have taken cognisance of the property damage. Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) leader Sanjay Raut was also present at the PWP foundation day event.Interestingly, last month, Panvel BJP MLA Prashant Thakur had objected to the sale of liquor in Kharghar node, which is part of Panvel taluka in Raigad. However, state Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar stated during the monsoon session of the Assembly that if Thakur wanted to declare Kharghar a "No Liquor Zone", he must follow the legal process and gather signatures from local residents expressing their opposition to bars, as per democratic procedures. Following the latest attack on the Night Riders bar by MNS workers in Panvel, several political developments are expected regarding liquor sales in the region. Party workers also objected to the presence of women working in such bars. City-based activist Anarjit Chauhan said the attack appears to be politically motivated, given the upcoming municipal elections in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. "Bars with ladies' service like Night Riders have been operating for years, even when the Shiv Sena (UBT) was in power. If politicians see any immoral activity, why hasn’t the police taken legal action? There seems to be a political agenda here," Chauhan said.