Pune: An incident involving Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers and Pune-based influencer Mahesh Mote has sparked concern after a video surfaced showing him being publicly humiliated and forced to apologise over a social media reel concerning MNS chief Raj Thackeray.
According to reports, MNS workers confronted Mote after objecting to allegedly offensive remarks made against Raj Thackeray in a reel posted around 15 days ago. The incident reportedly took place after Mote returned to Pune following a 15-20-day stay in Kerala.
Shubham Jagdale, MNS subdivision president for the Hadapsar assembly constituency, claimed that party workers located Mote in a park in Katraj and took him to the party’s public relations office. He described the action as being carried out in the “MNS style”.
A video circulating on social media purportedly shows Mote with black ink smeared on his face, prostrating before a picture of Raj Thackeray and performing sit-ups while slippers were placed on his head. He is also seen with folded hands, issuing an unconditional apology to Thackeray, the MNS and its office-bearers.
Mote reportedly appealed to the individuals involved not to trouble him further and said he would not repeat the alleged mistake.
The incident raises serious questions about the use of intimidation and public humiliation in response to criticism or offensive online content. As of the available reports, it remains unclear whether Pune Police have registered a case or initiated action against those involved.
