In an alleged act of vengeance, Chief Information Commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad and his wife Shivaganga Gaikwad were attacked by supporters of Dr B.R. Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar in Aurangabad on Monday.
Gaikwad, also the former chief secretary of Maharashtra, was on an official tour to the city and was staying at the Subhedari guest house along with his wife when they were attacked.
Gaikwad, who had just returned to the guest house from his visit to Kokanwadi information office in Aurangabad on Monday, was first thrown a slipper at by Bhartiya Republican Party District President Amit Bhuinal. Other party workers, who were hiding at the guest house, soon joined in and surrounded the CIC and started beating him up.
Meanwhile, Shantabai Dhule and Rekha Ujgare, women party workers of Bhartiya Republican Party, assaulted Shivaganga Gaikwad.
The attack continued until policemen stationed at the guest house reached to the couple's rescue. They were immediately taken to the Aurangabad airport by the police.
Apparently, the attack was to avenge Ratnakar Gaikwad's decision to demolish offices of Prakash Ambedkar, Anandraj Ambedkar and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, which were situated at the historic Ambedkar Bhavan in Mumbai. Gaikwad had demolished these offices in June 2016 with the help of 300 bouncers.
The officer has filed a formal police complaint with the airport police in Mumbai. “We will transfer the complaint to Aurangabad police,” said DCP Vasant Pardeshi.
Begumpura police station in Aurangabad have registered the crime under section 307 (attempt to murder) and Sec 147, 148 and 149 of the IPC against Amit Bhuinal, Dinesh Salve, Shrirang Sasane, Gautam Gavli, Shantabai Dhule, Rekha Ujgare, Sandip Waghmare and Pradip Ingale.
However, the party justified its stance and backed the attackers. “This was ought to happen as the Ambedkarites in the state were extremely angry over the demolition of the historic building built by Dr Ambdekar himself. The heritage printing machine, offices, etc, were destroyed in the demolition. Ratnakar Gaikwad himself is responsible for this attack on him,” said Adv B.H. Gaikwad, senior leader of Bhartiya Republican Party.
The state government and the Bombay Municipal Corporation had categorically denied giving any such order to demolish the structure. “Ratnakar Gaikwad not only demolished the historic structure but also ridiculed Ambedkar family in a shameless manner during his press conference. This was not tolerable at all,” alleged Prof Avinash Dolas of Bhartiya Republican Party.
Ratnakar Gaikwad and Prakash Ambedkar could not be reached for their comments.
