A controversial social media reel featuring the leader of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Raj Thackeray, has caused a row in Pune. The influencer Mahesh Mote was targeted by MNS workers who claimed that he made insulting comments about Raj Thackeray in his reel.
The videos that came to light online showed Mote applying black ink on his face and doing sit-ups wearing slippers on his head while apologising before a picture of Raj Thackeray.
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| Image Credit: India Today |
What Happened to Mahesh Mote?
As reported in India Today, MNS workers escorted Mote to the office of Shubham Jagdale, who is the MNS Hadapsar sub-division president. In the video, Mote can be seen making obeisance before a picture of Raj Thackeray and apologising for what he said.
They even blackened his face with ink and made him do sit-ups with slippers tied on his head. The video was later shared through social media.
According to India Today, MNS Pune City President Sainath Babar said that Mote had posted “objectionable reels and comments” about Raj Thackeray. But no such details about the comments in the reel were released by the political party.
Influencer Records Apology Video
According to Times of India, Mote made an apology video following the altercation. In his apology video, Mote apologised to Raj Thackeray and MNS members, saying that he had talked about Raj Thackeray, Shubham Jagdale, and other MNS office bearers inappropriately.
He had also requested not to be harassed any further. He appeared in the video holding his hands together while apologising. According to the news published by NDTV, Mote had been forced to apologise with the picture of Raj Thackeray behind him after the footage of his party chief being mocked. It was mentioned that black ink had been applied to his face and slippers put on his head.
No Police Complaint Reported
India Today reported that no police complaint had been filed in connection with the incident at the time of its report. The specific remarks made by Mote in the original reel were also not detailed by the MNS in the reports. Therefore, the allegations about the content of the reel should be understood as claims made by MNS representatives rather than independently established details.
Raj Thackeray Reel Row Draws Attention
The Raj Thackeray Reel Row has attracted attention after videos of the incident circulated on social media.
The reports describe the confrontation and the apology but provide different levels of detail about the original reel. The available reports confirm that MNS workers confronted Mote over remarks about Raj Thackeray and that he later recorded an apology.
The incident has therefore become a fresh controversy surrounding social media content, political figures and the response to criticism or alleged objectionable remarks.
What We Know So Far
The Raj Thackeray Reel Row centres on influencer Mahesh Mote and a reel that MNS representatives said contained objectionable and personal comments about Raj Thackeray.
Mote was confronted by MNS workers in Pune and was later shown in videos apologising before a photograph of the MNS chief. Black ink was smeared on his face, and he was made to perform sit-ups with slippers on his head.
As of the reports published on September 21, no police complaint had been reported in connection with the incident.
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Author - Saurabh