Mumbai 2 September : The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Friday suspended its south Mumbai Up-Vibhag chief Vinod Argyle after a video of him slapping the victim, pushing her and assaulting the woman shopkeeper caused a ruckus.The senior MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar told reporters that he was “distraught” watching the video of the incident of Thursday.
He added that MNS President Raj Thackeray has always advocated respect for women.
“Despite similar strict guidelines to party workers this incident has happened and I apologize for the MNS.” of the MNS,” said Nandgaonkar in an announcement that was released on Friday evening.
He stated that the party took a firm opinion of this and has suspended Argyle and additional steps will be taken once the party has conducted its own investigation into the matter.
The tragic incident in the course of which Argyle was observed pushing, abusing and dragging the shopkeeper’s wife, Parkash Devi, till she fell to the ground caused a huge outrage in the political circles of the state.
Shiv Sena women leaders like Manisha Kayande, former Mayor Kishori Pednekar, Nationalist Congress Party’s Chief Spokesperson Mahesh Tapase, Maharashtra State Council for Women President Rupali Chakankar and others have criticised the MNS and demanded a stern police actions against those responsible as well as an apology from Raj Thackeray.
After registering a non-cognisable grievance regarding the incident on August 28 The Nagpada Police finally lodged a complaint and arrested three people, Vinod Argyle, Satish Lad and Raju Argyle.Further investigation is in the process.
The woman was apparently the target of the anger of MNS activists.MNS activists when she repeatedly resisted installation of an Ganeshotsav advertising banner in front of her shop without her consent.
In the past, the woman had told the MNS employees to “go and place the banner in Raj Thackeray’s residence” and Argyle said she even attacked them outside of her shop for medical services.
In the clip of the incident, which was made viral on Thursday, the woman and MNS activists were shown in an argument that was heated and, as she refused to leave, Argyle pulled her back, followed by pushing her.and gave her a powerful kick in the stomach and then pushed her when she fell to the ground.
Then, Argyle contended that the woman had abused him, but stated that he apologized for assaulting her.
Social media outlets expressed outrage about the fact that so many people mutely captured photos or videos of the event instead of stopping the political liars or rush to the assistance of the woman who was standing up to the protests on her own.
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