BJP MLA threatened me: Local paper editor

Mumbai: “It was our Holi edition, and hence we printed the picture of chief minister wearing a saree. We didn’t know that 3,000 men from the BJP would barge in our building and create a ruckus,” said Vasant Mane, the editor of Rajsatta, a local Bhayander newspaper.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have registered a complaint against Mr Mane, claiming that he has demeaned chief minister Devendra Fadnavis by printing the “derogatory image”. The protest by BJP had brought the whole of Bhayander to a standstill on Friday night. Personnel from three police stations were deployed to bring the situation under control.

The image was published on February 23, after results for the civic poll were declared on Thursday. The photo showed Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray donning a holi attire and playing a dhol and Mr Fadnavis dancing to the tunes, clad in a saree studded with jewellery.

The BJP supporters, who were protesting outside Mr Mane’s house on Friday night, barged into his building in Bhayander and allegedly damaged the property. BJP MLA Narendra Mehta also allegedly threatened Mr Mane and asked him to apologise for publishing the “demeaning” picture.

Speaking to The Asian Age, Mr Mane said,  “BJP MLA Narendra Mehta barged in my house and tried to assault me. Mr Mehta asked me to apologise to him. I refused to apologise, saying that I would apologise only to Mr Fadnavis if he is offended. I have also complained to the police and have asked them to take action.” Meanwhile, when The Asian Age contacted Mr Mehta, he was unable to comment.

Dismissing Mr Mane’s claims, Mr Mehta, said, “The people who were a part of the protest were agitated and I was trying to calm them down. Vasant Mane called me upstairs and apologised to me.”