Thane (Maharashtra) [India], April 14 (ANI): Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has been booked under the Arms Act for allegedly brandishing a sword at a public rally in Thane, according to State Home Department.

Thane Aug 31 PTI Maharashtra Navnirman Sena MNS workers celebrated the traditional Dahi Handi festival in Thane and neighbouring Palghar district even though the celebrations have been banned in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic The popular festival organised during Gokulashtami which attracts a lot of crowds is being observed on Tuesday Around Monday midnight a large number of MNS activists including women gathered at Naupada in Thane city and hung a dahi handi an earthen pot filled with curd at a height in the area They formed a pyramid and a woman activist climbed atop and broke the curd pot The city police later took five party activists into custody for defying the prohibitory orders an official said The MNS activists also had an argument with the police when they tried to stop them MNS Thane-Palghar unit chief Avinash Jadhav who was arrested earlier in the day for holding a protest over their demand for allowing Dahi Handi celebrations and later released was present during the event held late at night A number of party activists also organised similar celebrations in Thanes Vartak Nagar and in Nalla Sopara area of adjoining Palghar district late Monday night Talking to reporters Jadhav claimed the Shiv Sena came to power by bagging Hindu votes but had betrayed the community by prohibiting its functions He said they would celebrate the festival irrespective of the ban Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray last week told organisers of the Dahi Handi festival that the state should set an example by setting aside celebration of festivals for some time to get rid of the coronavirus completely He had said the health of citizens should be given priority during a pandemic PTI COR GK GK

Thane Aug 30 PTI Some 20 Maharashtra Navnirman Sena MNS activists were arrested on Monday in Thane for sitting on a dharna demanding permission from authorities for traditional Dahi Handi celebrations which have been banned in view of the coronavirus pandemic police said They were released later The activists led by the partys Thane-Palghar unit chief Avinash Jadhav said they would irrespective of the police ban celebrate the festival which involves formation of human pyramids by youngsters to break curd-filled pots kept at a heightThe popular festival organized during Gokulashtami which attracts a lot of crowds is to be celebrated on Tuesday The protest was held on a makeshift stage on the Bhagwati School grounds near the Nagpada police station The group was taken to the Nagpada police station and released later after all of them were issued notices warning them of prohibitory orders in place and the punishment they could face if these were violated officials said MNS leader Amey Khopkar tweeted Hindu festivals will be celebrated with tradition and culture in Thane PTI COR MR BNM RSY RSY