Is Defacing Meenatai Thackeray's Statue More Than Vandalism?

Mumbai, Sep 18 (NationPress) Shiv Sena (UBT) expressed strong disapproval on Thursday regarding the defacement of the statue of Meenatai Thackeray, the wife of the late founder of Shiv Sena, Bal Thackeray, located at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. The statue was smeared with oil paint, inciting fury among Shiv Sainiks and party supporters. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey stated that damaging her statue represents more than mere vandalism; it is a direct assault on the sentiments of countless individuals.

In a conversation with IANS, Anand Dubey described the incident as "extremely unfortunate" and called for stringent action against the identified culprit, Upendra Pawaskar, confirmed through CCTV footage.

"Meenatai Thackeray symbolizes faith and motherhood for millions of Shiv Sainiks," Dubey emphasized.

He further stated, "Defacing her statue is not merely vandalism — it is an affront to the feelings of numerous individuals. The government must act swiftly and decisively. In this era of CCTV monitoring, such negligence is intolerable. No mother deserves disrespect, and those accountable must face severe repercussions to deter future incidents."

Dubey urged law enforcement to enhance security around such significant memorials and criticized the perpetrator for demonstrating a "sick mindset" through these actions.

Additionally, Dubey addressed the announcement from the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) about nationwide protests following the Supreme Court’s refusal to stay the amended Waqf Act, advocating for restraint and patience.

"A comprehensive hearing has already occurred in the Supreme Court. It has been clarified that the matter is under judicial consideration, and the CEO of the Waqf Board must be a Muslim. Given this context, protests and agitations are unwarranted. All parties have previously presented their perspectives to a Joint Parliamentary Committee. Now, everyone should await the court’s ruling, which we believe will safeguard the interests of the Muslim community," Dubey told IANS.

Dubey also commented on the controversy surrounding an AI-generated video allegedly involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mother, which was recently removed following a Patna High Court order against the Congress.

"No mother should ever be disrespected — whether it’s Sonia Gandhi, Heeraben, or Meenatai Thackeray," he remarked. "Politics should maintain integrity. The Congress erred by sharing that video, and now that the court has intervened, such errors must not happen again. Simultaneously, Prime Minister Modi should uphold the dignity of his office and refrain from personal remarks about anyone’s mother. Every mother, regardless of her background, deserves respect."

On the deluge of birthday wishes for PM Modi from world leaders and citizens, Dubey stated, "Wishes are customary, but the real issue lies in governance."

"The position of Prime Minister is paramount, second only to the President," he explained. "Wishes from leaders, citizens, and businesspeople are anticipated. However, do these greetings reflect fulfilled commitments? Have employment opportunities risen? Have farmers genuinely benefited? Celebrations should align with real advancements. Only then do such wishes hold substantial meaning," he concluded.