Defaced Meenatai Thackeray Statue Sparks Controversy in Mumbai

A police investigation is underway after the statue of Meenatai Thackeray, the wife of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, was found defaced at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on Wednesday. The statue, a significant symbol for Shiv Sena followers, was splashed with red paint, prompting a swift response from party workers who conducted a cleanup and alerted authorities.

Teams have been formed to identify those responsible, with CCTV footage from the park being reviewed meticulously. Maharashtra's Minister of State for Home and Revenue, Yogesh Kadam, has promised stringent action against the perpetrators. Kadam emphasized the emotional significance of the statue for Shiv Sainiks and dubbed the vandalism a governmental failure.

This event follows a political protest by Sena (UBT) opposing an India-Pakistan cricket match, and leaders have linked it to recent political tensions, criticizing the state government's inability to protect such critical iconic representations.