Senior Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) leader Sanjay Nirupam has come out strongly in support of social media influencer Rajshree More, condemning the alleged abuse and threats she faced from Rahil Shaikh, the son of MNS state vice president Javed Shaikh, following a road accident in Andheri West.

Calling the incident a “shameful misuse of political power,” Nirupam accompanied More to Amboli Police Station on Monday, demanding swift and serious action.

“A young woman was verbally assaulted, threatened, and intimidated by a drunk man who repeatedly invoked his political connections. This is unacceptable,” Nirupam told reporters. “Just because someone claims to be from MNS doesn’t give them the right to harass anyone, let alone a woman on the road.”

“Respect Marathi, But Don’t Use It as a Weapon”

Nirupam emphasized the need to differentiate between cultural pride and political intimidation.

“We all respect the Marathi language and culture,” he said. “But using it as a shield for aggressive, lawless behavior is an insult to that very culture. We are here to ensure justice is delivered—not just for Rajshree More but for every citizen who might face this kind of intimidation.”

He also accused certain political factions of exploiting regional identity for personal gain, saying that invoking the “Marathi vs non-Marathi” narrative to defend criminal behavior sets a dangerous precedent.

The Incident That Sparked the Outrage

The controversy began after a road accident on Vira Desai Road in Andheri West, where Rajshree More's car was allegedly hit twice by another vehicle driven by Rahil Shaikh, who, according to More, was intoxicated and shirtless during the confrontation.

More claims the situation escalated when she confronted him, and Shaikh allegedly began hurling abuses and invoking his father's political influence.

“He said, ‘Do you know who I am? My father is from MNS,’” she recalled. “He tried to intimidate me even in front of the police. He used disgusting language and showed no remorse.”

A video of the incident, which shows a shirtless Shaikh aggressively confronting More, has since gone viral on social media, prompting widespread outrage and a formal police complaint.

Police Respond, Investigation Underway

Following the video’s circulation, Mumbai Police confirmed that an FIR was registered, and Shaikh has been detained for medical evaluation. His car has also been seized as part of the ongoing investigation.

“We’ve come here to ensure that the law is enforced fairly,” Nirupam added outside Amboli Police Station. “Political clout cannot be a shield for criminal acts.”

More Alleges Threats, Mob Intimidation

More, who owns a studio and runs a team of over 40 employees—many of them Marathi-speaking—revealed that since the incident, she has been subjected to repeated threats.

“Nearly 200 people came to my studio demanding an apology,” she said. “They threatened to destroy it if I didn’t bow down. I’m scared and traumatised, but I won’t back down.”

She also claimed that she was labeled a “Vibhishan” for speaking out in support of non-Marathi workers in Mumbai—workers who she believes help power the city’s economy.

“I respect Raj Thackeray, but I will never support divisiveness. This is not about Marathi vs non-Marathi. This is about right vs wrong, about humanity,” she said, standing firm.

A Message from Nirupam: “Political Power is Not a License to Threaten”

As the video continues to trend across platforms, the incident has reignited public debate about the abuse of political connections, the misuse of regional identity, and the safety of women on Mumbai’s streets.

Sanjay Nirupam ended with a powerful message: “No one—no matter whose son he is—can act above the law. The city, the culture, and the people of Maharashtra deserve better.”