A resident of Junnar in Pune district turned to an unconventional form of protest after months of frustration with his newly purchased Mahindra Thar. Unable to get persistent issues resolved, he used two donkeys to pull the SUV back to the dealership, drawing widespread attention both on the streets and online.

The owner, Ganesh Sangde, said he bought the vehicle only a few months ago but began facing problems almost immediately. According to him, the Thar suffered from water leakage, a constant loud noise from the engine and other defects that made everyday use difficult. Despite several visits to Sahyadri Motors in Wakad, Sangde claimed the service centre failed to fix any of the complaints.

Taking matters into his own hands, he decorated the vehicle with posters written in Marathi criticising the dealership and tied the SUV to a pair of donkeys. A small group followed the procession, with some people beating drums and others pushing the vehicle as it made its way to the showroom. Videos of the spectacle quickly went viral across social media platforms.

Pune Man Slams Thar: “Nothing Has Improved”

During the demonstration, Sangde expressed his frustration, saying, “I purchased the Thar believing it’s a tough, dependable vehicle, but it has only given me trouble. Even after multiple services as recommended by the company, nothing has improved.”

He also mentioned issues such as unusually low mileage requiring frequent refuelling, rust marks appearing on the body and discomfort caused by the engine noise.

The protest has since sparked conversations online about customer service and vehicle reliability, with many supporting Sangde for choosing a dramatic but attention-grabbing method to highlight his grievance.