The gathering of North Indians was organised by the Uttar Bharatiya Vikas Parishad during foundation day celebration of a local Hindi daily on Thursday. The function assumed importance in the backdrop of the anti-North Indian agitation by MNS. However, the police had provided security for the function organised at Nehru Memorial Hall to ensure there is no untoward incident. The function started with a bleak attendance, but the number rose as the function progressed.

City BJP chief and legislator Girish Bapat inaugurated the function, but refrained from making any direct statement on the recent incidents related to North Indians. "I can speak in Hindi and English, but will purposely speak in Marathi as you people understand it. The city based North Indians can also speak in Marathi language," Bapat said referring the North Indians in the city as integral part of Maharashtra like any other Maharashtrian.

Congress legislator Balasaheb Shivarkar and NCP corporator Bapu Pathare were invited, but did not turn up for the function. Congress corporator from Pimpri-Chinchwad Jyoti Bharti expressed disappointment on the recent agitation of MNS against North Indians.

"I am born to Maharashtrian parents, but I am daughter-in-law of a North Indian family. I do not find any difference in the two family, so there is no reason to oppose each other," she said while her comments receiving applaud from the crowd.

Expressing concern over North Indians leaving the city, Bharti urged the North Indian population to not to get scared as the situation will calm down.

Later, S R Misra, working president of parishad said the agitation launched by MNS is unjustified. "The political party demanding ouster of North Indians will have to demand for ouster of Devisingh Shekhawat, husband of President Pratibha Patil, as he also belongs to North India."