Alleged Sena workers in Ulhasnagar slapping a person in a screenshot from a video
A video has emerged of two alleged Shiv Sena workers purportedly threatening and slapping young couples in Ulhasnagar in Maharashtra, putting the party in an embarrassing position. The 'moral policing' incident is reported to have taken place a month ago.
In the video, Naresh Pakhre, an alleged Sena worker, is seen slapping young men on a skywalk outside Ulhasnagar station. A woman who is seen accompanying him slaps young women accusing them of 'immoral behaviour'. The woman along with Mr Pakhre is also seen asking the couples for their parents' phone numbers to report them.
The local unit of the Sena backed the man and woman seen in the video harassing the young couples. "This skywalk is meant to help people. But it is used by couples. Locals had complained to Shiv Sena leaders about this. We complained to the police but the police could not do anything. So we taught them a lesson in Shiv Sena style," said Rajendra Chaudhary, chief of the party's unit in Ulhasnagar.
However, the top Shiv Sena leadership has distanced itself from the episode. According to sources, party chief Uddhav Thackeray has expressed his displeasure over the behavior of party workers in Ulhasnagar.
Yuva Sena President Aditya Thackeray tweeted, "I request the media to take only views of the officially named Spokespersons of the Party. ANYONE else claiming to speak is NOT Party line."
The local police have taken cognizance of the video and are on the lookout for the two people seen in the video. However, in the absence of a complaint, no arrest has been made so far.