Mumbai, April 10: A man was assaulted by workers of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena for allegedly making derogatory comments against Raj Thackeray. The incident, which took place on April 7, came to light after the video of the assault went viral on social media. The victim, identified as Vijay Vare, was later booked by the police for defamation, but no case has been registered against MNS workers.

On April 6, one of the supporters of Raj Thackeray shared pictures of his Gudi Padwa rally held earlier on social networking site Facebook. Vijay Vare allegedly made abusive comments on one of these pictures. The next day, a group of MNS workers barged into his house in Ghatkopar East and thrashed him. His family members pleaded for mercy but they kept raining blows. Vare was made to do sit-ups and apologise. MNS Chief Raj Thackeray Threatens Agitation Against Narendra Modi Biopic For Violating the Model Code of Conduct For Lok Sabha Elections 2019.

"I made a few comments against Raj Thackeray on social media and I am hence apologising to all MNS workers and the whole of Maharashtra," Vare is heard saying in the video. MNS workers didn't stop there even after his apology. They took him to Pantnagar police station, where a non-cognisable offence under Section of 500 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code was registered against him, Mumbai Mirror reported. Raj Thackeray Parroting Sharad Pawar's Script, Says Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis.

Asked why MNS workers were not booked for the assault, a senior Pantnagar police officer said they received no complaint in connection with the incident. MNS spokesperson Sandip Deshpande said they acted on Thackeray's advice. "Merely passing comments on Saheb (Raj Thackeray) will not earn a beating; we will assault those who make abusive comments. Saheb has given us clear directions: you can oppose us but not by abusing. We will teach a lesson to all who use abusive words against Saheb," Deshpande was quoted as saying.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 10, 2019 04:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).