Attack on Sambhaji Brigade leader: Congress, NCP(SP) demand strict action

The attack on Sambhaji Brigade's state chief Pravin Gaikwad in Solapur district figured in the Maharashtra assembly on 14 July, Monday with Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar demanding stringent action against the culprits.

In response, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said the accused have been arrested, and assured appropriate action in the matter.

Wadettiwar claimed it was a "murderous attack" on the Sambhaji Briagde leader and asked why police were not deployed at the event, where the incident took place on 13 July, Sunday.

Gaikwad was manhandled and ink was hurled on him allegedly by activists of an organisation over his reported remarks on Swami Samarth, who is believed to be a reincarnation of Shree Dattatreya, at Akkalkot village in Solapur district on Sunday, according to police.

A viral video shows Gaikwad being pulled out of his car and manhandled by a group of people.

Lok Sabha member Supriya Sule also condemned the attack on Sambhaji Brigade founding member Pravin Gaikwad and demanded strict action against the perpetrators.

Speaking to reporters in Pune, Sule said it was "shocking" that strong action had not been taken against the accused despite the seriousness of the incident.

"After the incident, I and (NCP-SP head Sharad) Pawar-saheb spoke to Pravin-Dada. I also spoke to the Solapur district SP. I condemn this attack, and it is shocking that no strict action has yet been taken against the assailant," Sule said.

Asked about Gaikwad's allegation that it was an attempt to kill him, Sule said the local police claimed the main accused was in possession of a pistol at the time of the attack.

"The same person has offences registered against him in the past. On one occasion, a pistol or live cartridges were found in his possession at an airport. Strict action must be taken against such individuals," she said.

Sule claimed such "aggressive tendencies" have become emboldened under the current ruling dispensation.

Police later booked Deepak Kate and six other members of the Shivdharm Foundation under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections for rioting and apprehended them.

Raising the matter in the state assembly, meanwhile, Wadettiwar said Gaikwad had gone to attend a function organised by the Sakal Maratha Samaj when he was assaulted.

He was pulled out of his car, pushed to the ground, and black ink was thrown on him, the Congress leader said.

"This was a murderous attack," Wadettiwar alleged.

The Congress leader claimed one of the attackers is affiliated with a political party and has a criminal background, including charges of illegal possession of firearms and serving jail term for allegedly killing his cousin.

"Why was there no police bandobast at the event? Why didn't intelligence agencies have prior information?" he asked.

Wadettiwar further sought to know whether the law does not apply to those targeting activists like Gaikwad.

Responding to the concerns, CM Fadnavis informed the House that the accused have been arrested by the police.

He assured that appropriate action will be taken in the matter.

Sule, however, said: "People in power today behave as if they can get away with anything, be it abusing others or even assaulting waiters. Such behaviour is unacceptable and goes against the cultured ethos of Maharashtra," in an indirect reference to the assault on a staffer of an MLA hostel canteen in Mumbai by a Shiv Sena MLA last week.

The MP from Baramati further said in the absence of action at the state level, she would raise the issue in Parliament.

Earlier in the day, Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule asserted the ruling BJP has nothing to do with the attack on Gaikwad.

Bawankule's comments came after several photos and videos featuring him with Deepak Kate, an accused in the case of attack on Gaikwad on Sunday, surfaced on social media.

Asked about Kate being seen with Bawankule in some photographs, Sule said such questions should be directed to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home department portfolio.

Edited PTI inputs