A dance bar in Panvel, Navi Mumbai, was vandalized late Saturday night by activists of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). The incident occurred at Night Riders Bar on the outskirts of Panvel. The vandalism included the destruction of furniture, smashing of liquor bottles, and overall damage to the property. Videos circulating on social media depict broken tables, shattered glass, and ransacked interiors.

The attack follows a speech by MNS chief Raj Thackeray against dance bars operating in the Raigad district. In his address at a Kisan Mazdoor Party meeting in Panvel, Thackeray stated that Raigad was the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and that dance bars should not be allowed to operate there. He questioned the ownership of these establishments and implied that they were being used to exploit locals.

According to reports, a group of over a dozen MNS workers, some armed with sticks, stormed into the Night Riders Bar. They allegedly vandalized the property, causing extensive damage. An MNS functionary, speaking anonymously, asserted that "Dance bars have no place in the sacred land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj" and declared, "We will not allow such obscenity to thrive in Panvel or anywhere else in the state".

The Panvel police have taken cognizance of the incident and have initiated an investigation. Authorities are collecting CCTV footage and taking statements from witnesses. A senior police official stated that "We are collecting the CCTV footage and taking statements from witnesses. No one is above the law". However, no arrests have been made thus far.

MNS leader Sandip Deshpande defended the actions of the party workers, describing it as a "symbolic protest". He said, "This is a symbolic protest, the bars are illegal, that's why it had to be done immediately. The government should pay attention to this".

The incident has sparked outrage and raised concerns about mob rule and the MNS's history of using violence to promote their agenda. Raj Thackeray has a history of supporting violence to further his "Marathi pride cause". MNS supporters have previously been accused of assaulting non-Marathi people and forcing non-native speakers to speak the local language.

The vandalism has resulted in significant financial damage to the Night Riders Bar, although the owners have not yet issued a public statement. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding dance bars and cultural values in Maharashtra.