A statue of the late Meenatai Thackeray, wife of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, was vandalized with red paint at Shivaji Park in central Mumbai on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
Authorities at Shivaji Park police station have initiated an investigation into the defacement. Police were alerted around 6:30 a.m. after locals discovered red paint on the statue. Shiv Sena (UBT) workers also arrived at the scene and reported the incident.
A formal complaint has been lodged, and police are currently examining CCTV footage from the Shivaji Park vicinity. Investigators believe the incident occurred sometime after 6:10 a.m. and are actively working to identify the perpetrator.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray, Meenatai Thackeray’s son, promptly visited the site and strongly condemned the act. He characterized the vandalism as the work of someone either ashamed of their own parents or deliberately trying to incite unrest in Maharashtra.
The former Chief Minister suggested that “one reason could be an attempt to burn Maharashtra, similar to an unsuccessful attempt that was made to shut down Bihar after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mother was disrespected.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray at Shivaji Park, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, on September 17, 2025. | Photo Credit: PTI
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief Raj Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray’s cousin, also visited the site, issuing a directive to the police to apprehend the culprit within 24 hours.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Mahesh Sawant stated that the CCTV footage indicates the incident occurred after 6:15 a.m., following a rally protesting the India-Pakistan cricket match.
Leaders from the ruling Mahayuti alliance have also publicly denounced the act of vandalism.
Yogesh Kadam, a Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra’s Minister of State for Home and Revenue, assured that stern action would be taken against those responsible. He emphasized the emotional significance of the statue, stating, “Meenatai Thackeray is the mother for all Shiv Sainiks. This statue was installed by my father and Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam on the instructions of Bal Thackeray. This is emotional.”