{
  "id": 8861784,
  "title": "Raj Thackeray reel row: Pune influencer Mahesh Mote allegedly made to prostrate, do sit-ups and record apology",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/raj-thackeray-reel-row-pune-influencer-mahesh-mote-allegedly-made-to",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-21T06:39:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Live Mint",
    "slug": "live-mint",
    "url": "https://www.livemint.com/news/india/raj-thackeray-reel-row-pune-influencer-mahesh-mote-allegedly-made-to-prostrate-do-sit-ups-and-record-apology-11789970977851.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Pune, social media influencer Mahesh Mote was allegedly subjected to a humiliating ordeal by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers, according to reports. Mote was confronted by MNS members and taken to the party's public relations office in Katraj area, where he was forced to perform various demeaning acts. Videos released by MNS leaders showed Mote smeared with black ink, prostrating before a portrait of Raj Thackeray, performing sit-ups with slippers on his head, and recording an apology. The influencer was reportedly confronted over a reel that MNS claimed mocked the party's chief Raj Thackeray. Mote, in an apology video, expressed regret for his comments and offered an unconditional apology to Thackeray and MNS workers. The incident reportedly stemmed from an earlier video where Mote allegedly used abusive language against Thackeray, according to MNS sub-divisional president Shubham Jagdale. The MNS leader stated that the party would respond to disrespect against Thackeray in a similar manner, describing it as their \"MNS style\" and \"Mahaprasad.\"",
  "summary": "Social media influencer Mahesh Mote was allegedly humilated by MNS workers in Pune over a reel involving Raj Thackeray. Videos show him with black ink on his face, doing sit-ups and apologising before a photograph of the MNS chief.",
  "key_points": [
    "Pune influencer Mahesh Mote allegedly subjected to humiliating ordeal by MNS workers.",
    "Videos show Mote prostrating, performing sit-ups with slippers on head, and recording apology.",
    "Incident reportedly over MNS claim that Mote's reel mocked Raj Thackeray's party chief."
  ],
  "editors_take": "This incident suggests that MNS workers are willing to take punitive action against individuals who disrespect their leader, Raj Thackeray, and that social media influencers may be held to a strict standard of loyalty.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}