Pune: FIR Against Amit Thackeray, 20-25 MNS Workers Over Removal of PM Modi’s Portrait
Pune, 31st August 2026: An FIR has been registered against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray and 20 to 25 unidentified party workers after MNS workers allegedly removed a portrait of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the principal’s office of Government Polytechnic College in Ganeshkhind on Monday.
The portrait had been placed alongside those of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Dr B R Ambedkar and President Droupadi Murmu. Thackeray had objected to the placement of the Prime Minister’s portrait beside that of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during his visit to the college.
The incident occurred as Thackeray, president of the Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena, visited several colleges in Pune on Monday to interact with students and take stock of the problems and difficulties they face. During his visit to Government Polytechnic, the issue of the portrait reportedly led to a confrontation with college authorities.
According to the FIR registered at Chaturshringi police station, Thackeray, along with around 20 to 25 unidentified office-bearers, students and party workers, allegedly entered the principal’s cabin without permission between 12.30pm and 1.15pm. The group allegedly removed the Prime Minister’s photograph, threatened the complainant and his associates, raised slogans and created a disturbance on the premises.
The complaint was filed by Dr Rajendra Kashiram Patil, 52, an employee of the college.
Police have invoked Sections 329(3), 189(1), 46, 351 and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with Section 130 of the Maharashtra Police Act and other relevant provisions. The sections relate to offences including criminal trespass, unlawful assembly and criminal intimidation.
Following registration of the case, Thackeray said he was prepared to face such cases and reiterated that no one could be equated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
“The first case against me was due to the agitation related to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. No matter how many such cases are registered against me, I am ready to endure them. No one can equal Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. If anyone speaks objectionably about Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar or Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, or compare them with someone, we are ready to take it upon ourselves,” he said.
The police are investigating the allegations and the role of the MNS workers involved in the incident.
