Maharashtra: Sambhaji Brigade files complaint against Raj Thackeray & MNS over new flag

A Maratha Organization in Maharashtra 'Sambhaji Brigade' on Thursday filed a police complaint against Raj Thackeray and MNS for using Shivaji Maharaj Era's symbols on ir new flag. As per sources, complaint has been filed at Swargate police station. 

Ahead of party's mega-rally in Mumbai, Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), launched its new 'Saffron' party flag on Thursday. flag has 'Raj Mudra' (stamps) which were used during Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's rule.

Complaint letter:

Speculations over party's changing ideology

re are several speculations over MNS changing its ideology and inclining towards Hindutva.  new saffron flag signifies a major shift in party's ideology. Just a few days before rally, MNS had carried out new posters and videos of party, hinting towards a major ideological shift to hard Hindutva. posters which have been put across Mumbai have a map of Maharashtra painted in saffron with lines that read 'Thought about ideology of Maharashtra, resolve to create a Hindavi Swaraj’. 

Read: Raj Thackeray's MNS targets Uddhav's Sena directly; 'ditch m, y joined maha-khichdi'

Earlier, MNS General Secretary Shalini Thackeray tweeted a video in which Raj Thackeray can be heard making a pitch for Hindavi Swaraj. In ar video, Thackeray can be heard saying, "A leader from Communist Party, Samajwadi Party, a party following Hindutva ideology or any or party, all of m look up to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as ir ideal." 

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) will be carrying out a rally in Mumbai on January 23 to mark birth anniversary of late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray. According to reports, it is likely that Raj Thackeray will make a formal anuncement regarding party's stance after or during rally. 

Read: "Even by descendants of Mughals..,": Fadnavis slams Sanjay Raut over his Shivaji remarks

Amit Thackeray enters mainstream politics

Raj Thackeray's son, Amit Thackeray on Thursday entered mainstream politics. This comes at time when Raj Thackeray's MNS is eyeing to revamp  party and adopt Hindutva ideology, to fill vacuum left by cousin Uddhav Thackeray's party- Shiv Sena in Maharashtra. 

Read: Raj Thackeray drops big hint regarding ideology, to launch new party flag and symbol

Read: Madhya Pradesh follows Maharashtra, mandates Preamble reciting in schools on Saturdays