Valpoi police summon shop owner for questioning today
Rishabh Mayekar and a group of locals outside the Valpoi police station.
A controversy has erupted in the market area under the Valpoi Municipal Council after a sign promoting the sale of ‘Pakistani dresses’ at a shop on the Valpoi–Thane road surfaced.
Following the circulation of the advertisement, a large number of locals strongly condemned the incident and went to the Valpoi police station to demand strict action against the shop owner concerned.
Citizens further urged the Valpoi Municipal Council to cancel the trade license and other permissions issued to the shop.
According to available information, the Valpoi police have summoned the shop owner for questioning at the police station on Friday at 11 am.
According to sources, a signboard advertising ‘Pakistani dresses available’ was displayed outside a shop located near a Mosque on the Valpoi–Thane road. An image of this signboard was circulated widely on social media, drawing angry reactions.
Angry locals claimed that attempts to promote anything associated with Pakistan within India is viewed by many as an affront to the nation’s dignity. They alleged that advertising and selling ‘Pakistani dresses’ in a local shop amounts to challenging the country’s national sentiment.
On Thursday, a group of locals led by Rishabh Mayekar marched to the Valpoi police station and strongly protested against the incident. They demanded that the police take the matter seriously and ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.
Speaking to media persons, Mayekar and others said that displaying such advertisements in a peaceful area like Valpoi appears to be an attempt to provoke anger among citizens. They also expressed suspicion that there could be a larger conspiracy behind the act.
