No BJP link to attack on Sambhaji Brigade leader says minister Oppn targets govt

    Mumbai, Jul 14 (PTI) Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Monday asserted the BJP has nothing to do with the attack on Sambhaji Brigade leader Pravin Gaikwad, even as the opposition targeted the government for not taking strong action against the perpetrators.

    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.
    NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar claimed Kate was active in the BJP's youth wing.

    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, police earlier said.

    A viral video shows Gaikwad being pulled out of his car and manhandled by a group of people.
    The protesters had also objected to Gaikwad terming Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj as 'Sambhaji'. They demanded that the Sambhaji Brigade be renamed as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Brigade, a police official said on Sunday.


    After the incident, police booked Deepak Kate and six other members of Shivdharm Foundation under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections for rioting and detained them. They were later allowed to go after the police served them notices.

    Asked about claims of BJP supporting Kate, Bawankule said, "The BJP has nothing to with the attack on Gaikwad. It is not in our blood to stoop and indulge in such low level actions."

    "Kate should not have acted in such a manner with Pravin Gaikwad, and the BJP does not approve of his action. An accused is always an accused, irrespective of his party," Bawankule told reporters.

    Minister of State for Home Pankaj Bhoyar said whoever was responsible for the incident will face action.
    "The government will not protect anyone," he asserted.

    BJP MLC Parinay Fuke claimed his party's criticism by opposition NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushama Andhare showed their prejudice against it.


    "They always have an outlook of BJP being behind anything happening in the society. Such an incident should not seen with a political angle, but I support action against the assailants," Fuke said.
    NCP (SP) MP Supriya 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.

    NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar claimed Deepak Kate had been previously jailed following allegations made by his own brother.
    Kate was imprisoned for seven years and had also been accused of carrying a gun and live cartridges on a flight, he told reporters at the Vidhan Bhavan.

    Rohit Pawar also said he had also received information suggesting Kate was carrying a gun during the attack on Gaikwad, raising concerns it could have been an attempt to murder.
    He pointed out progressive voices and rationalists like Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Pansare were murdered in the past.

    The MLA claimed the state government failed to prevent the attack on Gaikwad.
    "I feel that after the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, 2024 was passed by both Houses of the legislature, some extreme right-wing elements may have felt emboldened to attack those with different viewpoints," he said.

    Amol Mitkari, MLC from the ruling NCP, said Maharashtra has a tradition of progressive thinking and such action by individuals like Kate should not be tolerated.
    "His actions cannot be condoned, no matter which political party he belongs to. He will have to face the consequences," Mitkari said.

    Mitkari also questioned the logic behind the protesters demanding that the Sambhaji Brigade be renamed as 'Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Brigade'.
    "What about Bajrang Dal? Why isn't it called Shri Bajrang Dal? Kate's own group is named 'Shiv Dharma', which also uses only the first name. Should that be objected to?" he asked.


    Mitkari asked why Deepak Kate did not act when (former journalist) Prashant Koratkar had allegedly used offensive language against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj a few months ago. "Why was his face not blackened?" he queried.


    The NCP leader said he had worked with the Sambhaji Brigade, Maratha Seva Sangh and Pravin Gaikwad, and that such actions do not reflect Maharashtra's values.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)