Pune PM Modi Photo Row: MNS Chief Raj Thackeray’s Son Amit Gets Portrait Removed, College Puts It Back Later

A political controversy erupted in Pune on Monday after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray, son of MNS chief Raj Thackeray, ordered party workers to remove a portrait of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the principal’s office at the Government Polytechnic College in Ganeshkhind.

Thackeray was visiting the campus to inspect hostel infrastructure, food quality, and sports facilities following student complaints. Upon entering the principal’s office, he noticed the Prime Minister’s photo placed alongside portraits of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. Objecting strongly to the placement, Thackeray argued that current political leaders should not be equated with historic icons and asked for the photo to be placed on a separate wall. Prompted by his statements, MNS workers pulled the photograph down.

The incident sparked immediate backlash from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), whose leaders condemned the act as political immaturity and a breach of official government protocol regarding constitutional posts. To maintain protocol and avoid further escalation, the college administration reinstalled the portrait before local BJP workers arrived on campus to put it back up themselves.

Following the removal of the official portrait, local police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Amit Thackeray and 20 to 25 unidentified MNS workers.

Beyond the photo controversy, Thackeray also inspected the college canteen after being shown photos of worms allegedly found in student meals. Discovering crates of completely rotten onions in the mess area, he physically carried the spoiled produce into the principal’s and professors’ offices to confront the administration over the unhygienic conditions.

Demanding immediate improvements to the food served to students, Thackeray warned college authorities of an aggressive MNS agitation if the hygiene issues were not resolved swiftly. Stay tuned to know more about it and others only with us and if you have anything to share do comment below and share your thoughts.