The MNS decides it wants to be all nationalistic and macho—but how to show this? It can’t actually go to Karachi and hunt for the Lashkar, so it does the next best thing—it terrorizes Karachi Sweets in Mulund.
A signboard carrying a Pakistani city’s name is the latest Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) target after Pakistani books, songs and comedians.
The owner of Karachi Sweets in Mulund has received a one-page note, written on MNS letterhead by local activist Rajendra Deshmukh, asking him to change the name of the shop or face the consequences.
The letter, a copy of which was shown to TOI, says, “We want to disassociate ourselves from anything related to Pakistan. Using Karachi name on an Indian signboard is inappropriate. We demand that the name of the shop be changed and the board removed. If you do not comply within 10 days, we (the MNS) will agitate.’’
Karachi Sweets is a well known brand in Mumbai, so obviously the owner isn’t very keen on this. You’d imagine he’d turn to the cops for protection, and they’d help him out. See what happens:
The local police were informed but, instead of assuring protection, officials said it would be “better’’ if the shop changed its name and avoided any confrontation with MNS activists. […] “We suggested that the owner should rename his shop as Mumbai Sweet House,’’ a Mulund police station officer said. “That will attract more customers to the shop.’‘
When our cops are scared of handling local gundas, how do you think they’ll face greater challenges?
As for the MNS, I think their cadres should be stuffed on boats and given GPS systems to find their way to the real Karachi. Then we’ll see how macho they really are.