Archive · 1 Sep 2026
MNS Workers Arrested Over Modi Photo Removal in Pune
Police arrested two Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers in Pune.
They are being questioned about a photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi being removed from a college office.
A complaint says Amit Thackeray and his supporters removed the photo during a visit to the college.
The complaint also says staff members were threatened and slogans were raised.
Amit Thackeray said the case was connected to an agitation involving Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The Bharatiya Janata Party criticised the removal as political misbehavior.
BJP and MNS supporters later confronted each other in Mumbai.
Police detained several people to stop the confrontation from becoming worse.
Police also sought to serve Amit Thackeray a notice in a separate statue-related case.
Police arrested two MNS workers for questioning over the alleged removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photograph at Government Polytechnic in Pune.
A college complaint alleged that Amit Thackeray and supporters entered an office, removed the photograph, threatened staff and raised slogans.
Police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Maharashtra Police Act.
BJP and MNS supporters clashed in Mumbai’s Mahim area, prompting police to detain several people to prevent escalation.
Nerul police separately visited Raj Thackeray’s residence to serve Amit Thackeray a notice over an alleged unauthorised Shivaji Maharaj statue inauguration.
- Who
- Two MNS workers were arrested in Pune; the complaint names MNS student-wing chief Amit Thackeray and others. BJP and MNS supporters were involved in the Mumbai confrontation.
- What
- The arrests followed the alleged removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photograph from a Government Polytechnic office; a separate BJP-MNS clash occurred in Mumbai.
- When
- The alleged photo removal occurred on Monday, and the Mumbai confrontation and arrests were reported on Tuesday, September 1.
- Where
- The first incident occurred at Government Polytechnic in Pune; the confrontation occurred near the BJP office in Mahim, Mumbai.
- Why
- Police acted on a college official’s complaint, while BJP workers protested what they described as the politically motivated removal of the photograph.
MNS position
BJP position
Removal of the photograph
MNS position
Amit Thackeray linked the matter to an agitation involving Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and said he would welcome another offence being registered for that cause.
BJP position
The BJP said the photograph was displayed under official protocol and described its removal as a political stunt and hooliganism.
Mumbai confrontation
MNS position
MNS supporters confronted BJP protesters outside the party office, according to the report; the article does not provide a detailed public justification from MNS for the confrontation.
BJP position
BJP youth-wing president Krishnaraaj Mahadik said BJP workers were protesting peacefully, alleged they were beaten and that a gold chain was stolen, and demanded an FIR against MNS supporters.
- Arrested
- Two MNS workers were placed under arrest for questioning.
- Photograph
- The removed image was of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Institution
- Government Polytechnic, Pune.
- Complaint allegations
- Unauthorised entry, removal of the photograph, threats to staff, slogans and disruption.
- Mumbai action
- Police detained several BJP and MNS supporters in Mahim.
- Separate notice
- Nerul police sought to serve Amit Thackeray a notice over an alleged unauthorised inauguration of a Shivaji Maharaj statue.