Pali, Sudhagad (Dist. Raigad) : Sree Shiva-Pratishthan had undertaken a drive to visit forts from Shrisudhagad to Shrisarasgad between 18th and 20th January last year. Shri. Rajendra Raut, Shiv Sena Taluka-Chief and local organizer of this drive had taken out a procession in traditional manner for welcoming participants of this drive. Police had filed a case against Shri. Raut under section 144 claiming that the procession caused public disturbance. On 31st December, local lower Court passed a verdict under which Shri. Raut has been given punishment of one month’s simple imprisonment under ‘Bombay Police Act, 188’.
Shri. Raut, in response to the verdict said, “It has become difficult for Hindus in their own country to welcome drives which create patriotism amongst people. Police never pay attention to processions taken out by non-Hindus. In fact, they always see to it that Hindus are demoralized and throttled. The procession had not created any law and order problem; still a case was filed against me out of bias. We will go in for appeal against this decision in District Court.” Many devotees of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and patriots expressed anger over this verdict.