Since 1966, the Shiv Sena claims to be championing the cause of the Marathi manoos. On Friday, 17 Shiv Sainiks were arrested for vandalising a news channel's office for allegedly hurting Marathi pride by making objectionable remarks against party chief Bal Thackeray. Ironically,

the lawyer representing

them is a Gujarati and cannot speak Marathi.

Struggle

At the Vikhroli Magistrate Court on Saturday, advocate Milan Desai preferred to put forth his case in English after struggling with Marathi. Public prosecutor Rajendra Katkade told MiD DAY, "Desai started reading something in Marathi and struggled to

pronounce the words correctly. Initially, I thought he was

a Maharashtrian because of

his surname, but later it

was evident he was a non-Maha- rashtrian, defending the Sainiks."

Added a police sub-inspector, "He fumbled with Marathi and switched to English." There were two defence advocates — Sunil Vichare and Vilas Sawant — but only Desai spoke.

Nikhil Wagle, editor-in-chief, IBN Lokmat, said, "It doesn't matter to me if the Sena lawyer could not speak Marathi in court. It is the Shiv Sena's concern."

While Shiv Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe refused to comment, senior Sena leader Sanjay Raut said, "I did not know that the lawyer spoke in English. However, the party and the lawyer are two different entities."

Did you know?

Milan Desai represented disgraced cop Sunil More, who was convicted of raping a teenage girl at Marine Drive in 2004.

The Other Side

Milan Desai was furious when MiD DAY called him for his version. He switched to Marathi from English and said, "You tell me whether or not you know Marathi. Simply mention that I didn't want to comment. You believe your sources and write whatever you want," said Desai and cut the call.