Fadnavis Clarifies on MNS’ Mira Road Protest: ‘Permission Wasn't Denied, Route Was the Issue’

By A Staff Reporter

Mumbai: Amid controversy over the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s (MNS) protest in Mira Road over a language-related dispute with local traders, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified on Tuesday that the government did not deny permission for the protest, but had objected to the proposed route of the march.

Addressing the media, Fadnavis said, “It would be wrong to say that we did not permit the protest at Mira Road. I have spoken to the commissioner, who told me that the police did not refuse permission for the protest.”

The Chief Minister explained that the MNS had initially sought permission for a public meeting, which was approved. However, complications arose when the party insisted on conducting a protest march along a route deemed unsuitable for security and logistical reasons.

“We were giving them that permission, but they wanted to hold a protest march on a route where it was not possible to do so. We asked them to take an alternate route, but they did not agree to it. It would be wrong to say that they were not given permission,” Fadnavis added.