Rohith Vemula’s mother Radhika at a Youth Congress protest against the statement of Smriti Irani in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)

With less than a year left for the civic polls, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has once again raked up the issue of Marathi nameplates in the city. The party on Tuesday launched an agitation against the English nameplates in Kandivali.

Targeting shops displaying English nameplates, the MNS activists pelted stones at them. Insisting on Marathi nameplates, they also removed English name boards.

“We found that several shops in Kandivali have again started using English nameplates violating the state government act. With the Marathi Bhasha Din fortnight going on, we thought we should remove them, since the civic body is turning a blind eye towards it,” said local MNS corporator Chetan Kadam.

Meanwhile, three MNS workers were arrested over the ‘Marathi Bhasha Vivad’ following a similar incident of stone pelting in Charkop area of Kandivali. According to the police, a hoarding of a coaching class was found to be in English and MNS workers allegedly tore it down and started pelting stones at it. No one was injured but locals informed the police and a complaint was lodged in connection with the incident.

SPI, Ramchandra Gaikwad of Charkop said three MNS workers were arrested in the stone pelting case and they have been identified as Devendra Khair, Vishvas More and Rohan Kulekar.

Since its inception a decade ago, the issue of Marathi name boards has always been close to MNS. In 2008, it had waged a stir in Mumbai for the installation of Marathi name boards.

However, it has been said in civic circles that the agitation for Marathi nameplates is MNS’ desperate attempt to infuse enthusiasm into party workers, whose morale is down after heavy defeats in Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections. In both the polls, the party had lost very badly in the city. With the civic polls to be held in February next year, the MNS needs to recover lost ground fast.

As per rule 20(A) of the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Rules, 1961, it is obligatory on the part of employers to display the name board of their establishments in Marathi Devnagari script.