TNI Bureau: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray started his protest march against Mumbai violence from Girgaum Chowpatty and the protesters moved towards Azad Maidan.

Mumbai police had to give in to the determination of Thackeray and finally granted permission to the party for holding rally from Girgaum to Azad Maidan.

A large number of MNS workers have gathered at Azad Maidan to make the protest successful.

Earlier, police have not permitted Raj to take out a march to Azad Maidan on grounds that the rally would lead to traffic jam and create law and order problems in the city. But the MNS chief had questioned whether the rules were not applied to the Raza Academy morcha (which had led to violence on August 11)?

Raj had decided to take out a march to Azad Maidan where the violence had erupted on August 11. Two people were killed and over 50 were seriously injured in the violence. Even media vehicles and police were attacked.

The MNS has been demanding the resignations of Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil and Mumbai Commissioner of Police Arup Patnaik for failing to maintain law and order.