MUMBAI: The deadline given by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) supremo Raj Thackeray to traders and shopkeepers to change their English signboards with Marathi, ends today. At a meeting of the party office-bearers held yesterday in Mumbai, Raj, to sharpen his campaign for compulsory use of Marathi signboards, warned traders to fall in line and obey his orders or face dire consequences.
“The MNS would aggressively launch the agitation from Thursday against those traders and shopkeepers as well as companies and educational institutions that do not change their signboards in Marathi by the deadline. Those resisting the MNS diktat will face the music.”
Sounding ultimatum and also a threat in strong words, Raj said “If you fail to change the signboards within a day, then be prepared to face the consequences today,” Raj said.
Raj further said “It is not our intention to trouble the police with our agitation. The agitation, which we have embarked upon on the Marathi issue, is in accordance with the law and it needs to be followed. I appeal to all to help and cooperate in our agitation,” he added.
Raj referred to the law framed in 1961 according to which the signboards have to be in the official language of the states. In all the states of the country, the law is strictly enforced and followed. But here the traders are threatening to approach the courts for relief on the Marathi issue.
Ahead of the deadline, a meeting of the traders took a dramatic turn when a few alleged MNS workers stormed in to sabotage the proceedings at the venue opposite the office of the Mumbai police commissioner. A minor damage was done.
The meeting was called by owner of Roopam stores, Viren Shah, on behalf of the Federation of Retail Traders’ Welfare Association.
Apart from the traders’ protest, prominent citizens like filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and renowned criminal lawyer Majeed Memon attended the meeting at Crawford Market.
Memon had already explained that the matter was pending in the Bombay High Court and traders should await further legal orders. However, when Bhatt was halfway through his address, a few men at the back of the auditorium started slogan shouting and demanded that all shopkeepers in the city immediately put up signboards in Marathi.
However, Memon and Bhatt managed to clam down the situation. But following a brawl during the meeting, Roopam staff downed all shutters. Later, Shah, Bhatt and Memon met Mumbai Police Commissioner Hasan Gafoor in his office.
