Mumbai : The statue of Meenatai Thackeray, late wife of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, was defaced with red paint by an unidentified individual at Shivaji Park in Dadar early Wednesday morning.
Police said CCTV footage showed a person near the bust between 6 am and 6:30 am. Investigations are underway to identify the culprit, and authorities confirmed they would register a case even if no formal complaint is filed.
Local Shiv Sena (UBT) workers rushed to the spot, cleaned the statue using thinner, and restored the surroundings. Party leaders, including MLAs and MPs, later visited the site. Officials confirmed that no permanent damage was caused to the bust.
Police have stepped up security in the area and appealed for calm while the probe continues.
Meanwhile, Sena UBT leaders in Buldhana declared plans to stage protests, calling the act a “disrespectful attempt.” Senior leader Anil Desai demanded swift action against the miscreants and urged measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Meenatai Thackeray, who passed away in 1995, is revered within the Sena, and her statue has stood at Shivaji Park for nearly three decades.
