Click to play videoMumbai: After generating controversy on the local versus outsider issue, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's (MNS) latest move seems to target Mumbai business community.
The MNS' notice to change all shop signboards to Marathi by August 28 has irked shopkeepers across the city. This notice by the MNS asked the shopkeepers to change their English signboards to Marathi.
Earlier this month Raj Thackeray's MNS issued a diktat to shops to make the Devanagri script on signboards bigger and bolder but the shop owners association is opposing this.
"What MNS is doing is illegal, they're scaring and threatening. We are abiding by the law,” says Viren Shah from Federation of Retail Traders Association.
The notice has been put across the city but the shopkeepers say it is a pressure tactic to target the business community largely dominated by Gujaratis and Kutchis.
On Tuesday, a garment shop in Thane was damaged allegedly by MNS activists. Angry shopkeepers fear the matter will soon take a violent turn unless the state government initiates any action.
"If shops change logos, it affects business, doesn't the government care about losses, are taking action,” says the shop owner Himanshu.
But justifying its stand, the party says business establishments should also uphold the Marathi pride.
"Raj Thackeray is working as per BMC rules, the BMC officials didn't do their duty in implementing the law strictly,” says MNS spokesperson Shirish Parkar.
The MNS pressure seems to be building up in Mumbai but as the shopkeepers are not ready to give up both the sides are ready to challenge the notice in the High Court now.
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