MNS workers force Pune influencer to prostrate, record apology over Raj Thackeray reel
Synopsis
MNS workers in Pune allegedly tracked down influencer Mahesh Mote after he returned from Kerala, dragged him to a party office, and forced him to prostrate before Raj Thackeray's photograph — slippers on his head, ink on his face — while recording a tearful apology. MNS leaders have publicly boasted about the episode, warning others of the same fate.
Key Takeaways
Mahesh Mote , a social media influencer, was allegedly seized by MNS workers in Pune on 21 September 2026 .
He was forced to prostrate before a portrait of Raj Thackeray with slippers on his head and black ink smeared on his face .
Mote was made to record a tearful, coerced apology video while performing sit-ups in that position.
Shubham Jagdale , MNS sub-divisional president of Hardaspur Assembly constituency , alleged Mote had used offensive language against Thackeray in a reel posted about 15 days ago .
MNS leaders publicly boasted about the incident and warned that anyone insulting Raj Thackeray would face the same treatment.
No FIR had been reported filed by Mote or authorities at the time of publication.
A social media influencer named Mahesh Mote was allegedly seized by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers in Pune on 21 September 2026 and forced to prostrate before a photograph of MNS chief Raj Thackeray, with slippers placed on his head and black ink smeared on his face, after he reportedly made disparaging remarks about Thackeray in a social media reel posted roughly 15 days ago. The incident, captured on video, has drawn widespread attention to questions of political intimidation and freedom of expression online.
What Happened at the MNS Office
According to reports, MNS workers tracked Mote down as soon as he returned to Pune from Kerala, where he had been staying. He was brought to an MNS public relations office, where he was made to lie prostrate before a portrait of Raj Thackeray and compelled to record a tearful apology video while performing sit-ups in that position. The footage shows tears streaming down Mote's face as he pleads for forgiveness.
In the video, Mote is heard saying: 'I inadvertently said something wrong about Raj Saheb, and I also mistakenly spoke inappropriately about Shubham Dada and other MNS office-bearers. Today, I deeply regret my mistake. Because of this reel, I have found myself in this predicament. I sincerely apologise to the MNS party and to all of you.'
What MNS Leaders Said
Shubham Jagdale, described as a sub-divisional president of the Hardaspur Assembly constituency, alleged that Mote had used abusive and offensive language against Raj Thackeray in the reel. Jagdale claimed that Mote was given 'mahaprasad' — a term the MNS leader used as a euphemism for rough physical treatment.
An MNS leader was heard on camera saying: 'We brought him to our office and made him lie down before a portrait of the respected Raj Saheb Thackeray and demanded an apology.' He added that anyone making remarks against Thackeray would receive the same treatment, framing the incident as standard 'MNS style' of response.
The Broader Pattern of Political Intimidation
This is not an isolated incident in Maharashtra's politically charged environment. Political outfits in the state have a documented history of confronting individuals — journalists, artists, and social media users — who are perceived to have insulted their leadership. Notably, such incidents tend to intensify in the run-up to electoral cycles, with party workers seeking to publicly demonstrate loyalty and deterrence.
Civil liberties groups and legal experts have long argued that forcing a person to record a coerced apology constitutes criminal intimidation and assault under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), regardless of the provocation alleged. No FIR had been reported filed by Mote or authorities at the time of publication.
Status of the Case
It remains unclear whether Pune police have registered any case either against Mote for his original reel or against MNS workers for the alleged coercion. The influencer had reportedly been in Kerala when MNS workers obtained information about his return to Pune. The party has publicly boasted about the episode, which is likely to attract scrutiny from law enforcement and rights bodies in the coming days.
Point of View
Which is the more troubling detail. Publicly boasting about forcing a coercion on camera transforms a local muscle-flexing episode into a political statement: dissent about party leadership will be physically punished, and the party wants that on record. That calculus has chilling implications for online speech in Maharashtra well beyond this one influencer. The absence of any reported police action — against either party — also raises pointed questions about whether law enforcement applies the same standard to political workers that it would to ordinary citizens.
NationPress
21 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did MNS workers do to influencer Mahesh Mote in Pune?
MNS workers allegedly seized influencer Mahesh Mote, brought him to a party office, and forced him to prostrate before a photograph of Raj Thackeray with slippers on his head and black ink on his face. He was compelled to record a tearful apology video while performing sit-ups in that position.
Why did MNS target Mahesh Mote?
MNS sub-divisional president Shubham Jagdale alleged that Mote had used abusive and offensive language against MNS chief Raj Thackeray in a social media reel posted approximately 15 days before the incident. MNS workers tracked him down after he returned to Pune from Kerala.
What did Mahesh Mote say in the apology video?
In the coerced video, Mote said he had inadvertently made wrong remarks about Raj Thackeray and also spoken inappropriately about Shubham Dada and other MNS office-bearers. He expressed deep regret and pleaded with MNS workers to forgive him.
Has any legal action been taken following the incident?
No FIR had been reported filed — either by Mote against MNS workers for alleged coercion, or by police against Mote for his original reel — at the time of publication. Legal experts note that forcing a coerced apology can constitute criminal intimidation under the Indian Penal Code.
Is this kind of political intimidation new in Maharashtra?
No. Political outfits in Maharashtra have a documented history of confronting journalists, artists, and social media users perceived to have insulted their leadership. Such incidents are widely seen as intimidation tactics, and civil liberties groups have repeatedly called for accountability.
