Panvel : Late Saturday night, activists of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) stormed the Night Riders dance bar in Panvel, smashing furniture, bottles, and other property. The group claimed to be protesting what they described as “obscenity” in nightlife culture, and declared they would not allow such establishments to operate in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s “capital” region of Raigad.
This incident followed a recent public statement by MNS chief Raj Thackeray, who had sharply criticised the proliferation of dance bars in Raigad district and questioned their presence in the Maharashtrian heartland.
Police intervened at the scene and reportedly launched an investigation into the vandalism, which has sparked a fresh debate over cultural values, law enforcement, and political activism in Maharashtra.
Quick Summary:
What happened: MNS workers vandalised the Night Riders bar in Panvel late on August 2, 2025.
Why: The act was triggered by Raj Thackeray’s recent remarks condemning dance bars in the region.
Aftermath: Authorities are investigating, and the event has intensified discussion around moral policing, business freedom, and political influence.
