Did MNS Leader Attempt to Prevent FIR Filing by Influencer Rajshree More?

Mumbai, July 7 (NationPress) Social media influencer Rajshree More has made serious allegations against Raheel Sheikh, the son of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Vice-President Javed Sheikh, claiming he assaulted her under the influence of alcohol in his vehicle. More further alleged that efforts were made to pressure her not to file a police report.

A video posted on Monday revealed a disheveled Raheel Sheikh, appearing nearly unclothed, verbally abusing More and flaunting his familial connections to the MNS. Following this, the Shiv Sena-UBT called for action, leading to Sheikh's arrest on charges of endangering a woman's dignity, reckless driving, and verbal assault. An FIR was lodged at Amboli Police Station, where he is currently held in custody.

In a revealing interview with IANS, Rajshree More stated that Sheikh deliberately rammed into her car, putting pedestrians at risk.

"I was driving when his Innova collided with my vehicle from behind. It surged forward, struck me again, and severely damaged my car. He didn't halt; he almost ran over three pedestrians in front and several behind me. It was a reckless, drunken rampage," she recounted.

More expressed her shock at Sheikh's nearly naked and unapologetic demeanor.

"He was inebriated, with his pants falling down, and his exposed belly hanging out. He shouted at me, proclaiming, 'I am Raheel Sheikh, son of Javed Sheikh. Visit the police station tomorrow to see who my father is,'" she added.

More indicated that Javed Sheikh attempted to persuade her against pursuing legal action:

"They pleaded with me not to file an FIR—'his career will be ruined.' When I questioned what being a student at 27 meant, they had no answer. They promised to send him abroad. He's 27—not exactly a student. I challenged how they could trust a drunk individual behind the wheel. They sought forgiveness, but I remained resolute."

A senior officer at Amboli Police assured her that the FIR would be thoroughly documented. By late Sunday, she expressed she was "completely satisfied" with the police's actions.

When asked about the broader context of Maharashtra's language politics, particularly the ongoing Hindi-Marathi disputes, More clarified that her stance is not anti-Marathi but a stand against arrogance:

"This isn't about Marathi versus non-Marathi. It's Marathi versus Marathi. I pointed out that non-Marathis come here to make a living, often away from their families. Instead of targeting them, locals should set an example and work hard themselves," she stated.

More emphasized that expecting immigrants to learn Marathi instantly is unrealistic.

"Individuals struggling to meet basic needs don't have time for language classes. When you demand Marathi fluency in 2025, years after moving here, it's unreasonable. Language won't fill potholes or create jobs," she argued.

Defending her position, she remarked: "Out of 45 people working with me, 30 are Marathi and 20 are non-Marathi. Language is not a barrier—humanity is. We must communicate in whatever language we understand. Language alone won't sustain us."

Describing Raheel Sheikh's behavior as "hooliganism," More dismissed any cultural or linguistic justification.

"This is not heroism, but cowardly hooliganism fueled by political influence. Having a political background does not grant anyone the right to abuse or intimidate others," she asserted.

In light of attempts to label her as politically motivated, More asserted her independence from any political party.

"I have no political affiliations—neither with the Congress nor the BJP. If I were aligned with any party, they would depict me as biased. I am an independent influencer. My clients and colleagues are not primarily Marathi. I stood up not for political reasons but for justice," she concluded.