A Reel, a Confrontation and a Forced Apology

Pune : A social media controversy in Pune has drawn attention after influencer Mahesh Mote was allegedly confronted and publicly humiliated by workers of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) over a reel that the party said contained disparaging remarks about MNS chief Raj Thackeray.

According to reports, the incident took place after Mote returned to Pune following a period away from the city. MNS workers allegedly confronted him in the Katraj area and took him to a local party office, where videos circulating on social media purportedly show him being made to apologise before a photograph of Raj Thackeray.

The videos have attracted attention because they allegedly show Mote with black substance smeared on his face and being made to perform sit-ups while holding a slipper on his head. He is also seen prostrating before Raj Thackeray’s photograph and recording an apology. In another video, Mote appears emotional as he folds his hands and apologises to Raj Thackeray and MNS workers, saying he regretted his remarks and requesting that he not be harassed further.

The controversy reportedly began with a reel posted by Mote several weeks ago. According to report, the reel involved comments about online users mocking him after he shaved his moustache, with Mote questioning why similar comments were not directed at political figures such as Raj Thackeray, who had also appeared clean-shaven. MNS activists reportedly objected to the remarks and described them as insulting to their party chief.

MNS leader Shubham Jagdale reportedly said that party workers located Mote after learning that he had returned to Pune. According to the account, workers brought him to the MNS public relations office, where he was made to apologise before a photograph of Raj Thackeray. Jagdale described the action as the party’s own “style” and said that people making such remarks against Raj Thackeray would receive a similar response.

The exact wording of Mote’s original reel and the full context of his comments have not been independently established in the reports. What has drawn particular attention, however, is the manner in which the apology was allegedly obtained and the circulation of videos showing the confrontation. The incident has consequently sparked discussion over the treatment of social media users and influencers when their posts provoke political or organisational backlash.

Mote later appeared in an apology video, where he expressed regret for what he had said and apologised to Raj Thackeray and MNS office-bearers.

The episode comes amid heightened political activity involving the MNS in Pune and Maharashtra. Earlier this month, Pune police had registered a case involving MNS leader Amit Thackeray and party workers over the removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photograph at a government polytechnic in Pune, an incident that triggered a wider political controversy.

As the video of Mahesh Mote’s alleged humiliation continues to circulate online, the Pune incident has become another point of public discussion surrounding political expression, social-media criticism and the way political organisations respond when their leaders are targeted online. The available reports describe the allegations and the MNS workers’ account; the circumstances and any further legal action in the case remain subject to official clarification.