A social media influencer in Pune, Mahesh Mote, is alleged to be humiliated by MNS workers after a social media reel involving party chief Raj Thackeray. Multiple outlets report that videos show Mote with black ink smeared on his face, being made to do sit-ups with slippers on his head, and recording an apology.
The reports say the confrontation ends with Mote apologising on camera after being asked to prostrate before a photograph of Raj Thackeray. While the outlets’ accounts are broadly consistent about the sequence of actions shown in the footage, they describe the incident with slightly different emphasis, including the use of black ink, the sit-ups, and the prostration before the photograph.
Across the coverage, the incident is framed as a dispute over remarks contained in the reel and the reaction from MNS workers. The outlets also note that Mote expresses regret for his comments about Raj Thackeray and other MNS leaders as part of the apology video.
