Two MNS workers arrested over removal of PM Modi’s photo at Pune college

Police have arrested two workers of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in connection with the alleged removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photograph from an office at Government Polytechnic in Pune, officials said on Tuesday.

A case had earlier been registered against MNS leader Amit Thackeray, son of party chief Raj Thackeray, and others over the incident.

"Two MNS workers have been placed under arrest for questioning in connection with the incident. Further investigation is underway," a senior official from Chatushrungi police station said.

According to the complaint filed by a college official, Amit Thackeray, who heads the MNS student wing, visited the institute on Monday afternoon as part of a membership drive.

The complaint alleged that Thackeray asked his supporters to remove a photograph of Modi from an office wall. The photograph was displayed alongside a portrait of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and photographs of Dr B R Ambedkar and President Droupadi Murmu.

The complainant further alleged that Thackeray and others entered the office without permission, removed the photograph, threatened staff members, raised slogans and created a disturbance on the premises.

Police subsequently registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Maharashtra Police Act.

Amit Thackeray had defended the action on Monday, saying the first police case against him during his political career had also followed an agitation concerning Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

"If the second offence is also registered for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, I will be happy," he said.

The incident drew criticism from the BJP. Party leader Ganesh Bidkar accused Thackeray of political immaturity and said government offices followed a protocol regarding the display of photographs of constitutional authorities and prominent national figures.

"It is set protocol to have the photographs of the President, Prime Minister and iconic figures in government offices. It seems Thackeray is not aware of it," Bidkar had said.

The two arrests were made as police continued their investigation into the incident and the allegations against Thackeray and the other people named in the complaint.