Amit Thackeray reacts after FIR over Shivaji Maharaj statue unveiling in Nerul, calls it a matter of pride

An FIR has been registered against Amit Thackeray for unveiling a covered statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Nerul without permission. The MNS leader says he is proud to face a case for honouring Maharaj.

Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra | Nov 17, 2025 – :
A controversy has erupted in Navi Mumbai after an FIR was filed against MNS leader Amit Thackeray for unveiling a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj that had been kept covered for months. The statue, located in Nerul, was officially scheduled to be inaugurated by the local administration, but delays led to growing public resentment. On Sunday, Amit Thackeray arrived with MNS supporters and removed the covering in what he described as an act of honour and respect for Shivaji Maharaj.

The event has now taken a legal turn, with police registering a case against Amit Thackeray and several MNS workers. The charges include unlawful assembly and violating civic norms, since the unveiling was done without formal permission from Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation officials. According to police reports, safety nets were removed, barricades were ignored, and the act took place despite instructions from authorities to wait for an official launch.

Speaking to reporters after the FIR, Amit Thackeray said he had no regrets. He stated that if this is his first police case and it is for Shivaji Maharaj, then it is a matter of pride for him. He criticised the administration for keeping the statue under a torn cloth for over four months and questioned why its inauguration was repeatedly postponed. Thackeray added that the spirit of Marathi people will always stand up for their icons and that he was willing to face legal action.

The statue, installed near a flyover junction in Sector 1, Nerul, was built at a cost of over 46 lakh rupees. Local residents had been expressing dissatisfaction with the delay, and videos shared on social media showed many applauding the unveiling. However, officials argued that formal protocols were still pending and that the timing chosen by the MNS workers amounted to a breach of procedure.

Political observers say the issue could escalate into a larger political flashpoint, especially in the backdrop of upcoming elections. The MNS has been positioning itself as a defender of Marathi pride, and this incident has given Amit Thackeray an opportunity to sharpen that narrative. On the other hand, civic authorities and ruling party leaders have accused the MNS of deliberately provoking confrontation for political mileage.

The FIR includes multiple sections related to damage to public property and obstruction of official duties. Police are verifying footage and have indicated that more names may be added to the complaint. So far, no arrests have been made, but officers say the investigation is active.

The incident has also sparked debate over how civic bodies handle public monuments. Residents questioned why a completed statue stood covered for months while bureaucratic approvals dragged on. The administration has not yet provided a timeline for when the official inauguration will now take place.

Amit Thackeray’s response to the FIR has already gone viral, with his statement on taking pride in the case being widely circulated among party supporters. Whether the controversy will help or hurt the MNS in the long run is yet to be seen, but the confrontation has certainly ensured that the statue and the politics around it remain at the centre of public conversation in Navi Mumbai.

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