India, Sept. 17 -- Angry Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders and workers on Wednesday gathered at Mumbai's Shivaji Park to protest against the defacement of a statue of the party leader Uddhav Thackeray's late mother. Unidentified people sprayed red paint on the statue of Meentai Thackeray, the wife of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray.

UBT leaders blamed the state government for the failure to protect the statue, even as Uddhav Thackeray urged his workers to be patient and maintain peace.

The workers and leaders of deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena rushed to the spot and condemned the defacement. Both factions of the Sena said they will lodge a police complaint.

Shiv Sena (UBT) lawmaker Mahesh Sawant said that the police have starte...