The Shiv Sena on Monday did not allow the city-based Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) — funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) — to hold discussion on the Jaitapur nuclear power plant project during its Science Day celebrations. It forced ARI to give in writing that there will be “no talk” on the power plant and did not allow eminent scientist Anil Kakodkar to speak on the issue. The Sena said it will continue to hold protests against Kakodkar, who is the Homi Bhaba Chair Professor at Bhaba Atomic Research Centre, if he supports the project. The Sena’s aggressive stand also forced the College of Engineering, Pune, an autonomous institute of the state government, to change the venue of its research conference from Rajapur in Ratnagiri to Pune. After the protests by Sena workers outside ARI, the venue of the lecture by Kakodkar on the topic “Preparations for secure energy future”, the scientist refrained from making any reference to the plant in his speech and even refused to speak to the media about its construction. Several Sainiks, who were holding party flags, blocked the entrance of the institute and dispersed only after a written assurance from the institute that there would be no reference made to the Jaitapur power plant. The agitating Sainiks were prevented by police personnel from disrupting the conference and only after the management of ARI conveyed that there will be no speech on Jaitapur plant, they lifted the protest.