Latest news with #PravinGaikwad
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
गायकवाड हल्ला प्रकरण; अक्कलकोट बंदला मराठा समाजाचा पाठिंबा, आरोपींवर मोक्का लावण्याची मागणी!
Pravin Gaikwad Attack Case Maratha Community Supports Akkalkot Bandh Demands To Impose Mocha On The Accused
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
After ink attack on Pravin Gaikwad, Sambhaji Brigade warns of retaliation
A day after Sambhaji Brigade state president Pravin Gaikwad's face was smeared with black ink during an event in Solapur's Akkalkot, the outfit warned of retaliation and alleged political backing behind the attack. The incident has triggered sharp reactions from some organisations and political parties in opposition. On Monday, several progressive organisations, including Sambhaji Brigade, Maratha Seva Sangh, Maratha Mahasangh, Maratha Kranti Morcha, Shivsangram, as well as political parties like NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), Congress (UBT), and others gathered at Vyayam Shala in Shivajinagar Gaothan, Pune, to condemn the incident and discuss their next steps. (HT) Activists from the Shivdharma Foundation, which has objected to the name 'Sambhaji Brigade' for its singular reference to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, allegedly carried out the attack. The group was reportedly led by BJP worker and Hindutva activist Deepak Sitaram Kate, who demanded that the outfit be renamed as Dharmaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Brigade. 'This was not a spontaneous act. It appears to have political patronage,' said Vikas Pasalkar, central observer for the Sambhaji Brigade. 'Changing an organisation's name is not done overnight. While we are ideological opponents, we know how to respond in our own way.' Manoj Akhare, state president of the Brigade's political wing, echoed the sentiment. 'We will give a befitting reply to the attack on Pravin Gaikwad,' he said. On Monday, several progressive organisations, including Sambhaji Brigade, Maratha Seva Sangh, Maratha Mahasangh, Maratha Kranti Morcha, Shivsangram, as well as political parties like NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), Congress (UBT), and others gathered at Vyayam Shala in Shivajinagar Gaothan, Pune, to condemn the incident and discuss their next steps. 'This act is not about one person,' said Maratha community leader Purushottam Khedekar. 'Many of the youths involved come from Bahujan backgrounds, but they were misled and enticed into such acts. We are taking this incident positively. It's a call for unity. We will work to rebuild the Maratha Seva Sangh and bring like-minded groups together again.' Khedekar added that the term 'Maratha' transcends caste or religion. 'In our view, everyone in India, across communities, is a Maratha. It's a universal identity.' Vijay Taware, who coordinated the meeting, clarified that no formal resolution was passed, but the primary purpose was to express collective outrage over the attack on Gaikwad.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Well-planned conspiracy to kill me, govt behind attack: Pravin Gaikwad
REACTING to the attack on him in Akkalkot, Pravin Gaikwad on Monday alleged the attackers wanted to kill him. He also alleged the attack was a well-planned conspiracy and the state government was behind it. 'The attackers wanted to kill me but my associates came to my rescue,' Gaikwad said. His associates claimed he found it difficult to breathe as the black substance covered his head, eyes, face and neck. 'They did not even allow him to wipe off the substance,' one of his supporters said. Gaikwad said as he was attacked, he tried to enter his vehicle. 'But the attackers followed me and tried to kill me,' he said, adding the government was behind it. 'The attackers were present in Akkalkot before I arrived there. The police knew they were there. The government is responsible for the attack,' he said. He said he had gone to Akkalkot for a felicitation function. 'The organisers had invited me for a felicitation function… The person to be felicitated had done good work in education and social field. When I arrived, crackers were burst and music was being played. Then there was a sudden attack… Though it was sudden I think it was well-planned. I suspect the organisers were also involved because they did not file any case against the attackers nor was there any intervention from them. The attacker is the BJP's Yuva Morcha general secretary,' he said. Gaikwad said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is also the state Home Minister and responsible for the law and order situation in the state. 'Fadnavis should take moral responsibility for the attack on me,' he said. He said they don't have personal enmity with accused Deepak Kate but have ideological differences. 'We believe in the ideology of Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar. We follow the Constitution of India while they believe in Manusmriti. We have a progressive mindset.'
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Pravin Gaikwad's face smeared with black ink at Akkalkot event
PUNE: Black ink was smeared on the face of Pravin Gaikwad, state president of the Sambhaji Brigade, during an event in Akkalkot town of Solapur district on Sunday, allegedly by members of the Shivdharma Foundation, triggering chaos and tension at the venue. Pravin Gaikwad's face smeared with black ink at Akkalkot event The incident occurred at the Fattesingh Education Institute, where Gaikwad had been invited as the chief guest to felicitate his social work. As the event got underway, a group of individuals, reportedly affiliated with the Shivdharma Foundation and local groups, stormed the venue, threw ink on Gaikwad's face, misbehaved with him, and allegedly tore his shirt. According to Solapur Rural Police, by late evening they had arrested two individuals including Deepak Kate and Bhavaneshwar Shirgire and booked seven others under assault and rioting charges. Police Inspector Jitendra Koli of Akkalkot North Police Station said, 'As of now we have arrested two including prime accused Kate in this case and registered an FIR against seven individuals. There are chances to invoke more sections in this case accordingly further action will be taken.' A case has been filed at Akkalkot police station under section 115(2), 189(2),191(2),190, 324(4) of the BNS and further investigation is going on. Following the incident, police quickly intervened to control the situation. Reacting to the incident, Gaikwad questioned the absence of police personnel at the event. 'They attacked me— while I will not condemn it but will say this with certainty: those who orchestrated this should know that this is the beginning of the end. Everyone knows the history of the Sambhaji Brigade and how we respond,' he said after the incident. Sambhaji Brigade is a Maratha outfit having a large presence in Western Maharashtra and Marathwada with a controversial background and being accused of stoking sentiments. The Brigade is named after the Maratha king Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj son of the first Maratha king Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Known for its controversial and often violent agitations, its members were accused of attack and vandalism at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute in Pune, claiming that it helped American scholar James Laine's book on Shivaji titled Shivaji: Hindu King in Islamic India, certain parts of which were unacceptable to them. Subsequently, the Court cleared its members of all the charges pertaining to vandalism. Police sources said the attack was likely provoked by the Shivdharma Foundation's long-standing objection to the Sambhaji Brigade's use of singular references to historical and religious icons such as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Swami Samarth. The group had previously staged a hunger protest over the issue and tensions had reportedly been simmering for some time. Sunday's ink attack was allegedly led by Deepak Kate from Indapur. Eyewitnesses said panic spread among attendees and the program was halted immediately. Security officials separated the two groups to prevent further violence. Condemning the attack, NCP (SP) executive president and Baramati MP Supriya Sule said in a post on X, 'Pravin Dada Gaikwad, state president of Sambhaji Brigade who works in the social sector in Maharashtra, was attacked in a shameful manner in Akkalkot. Ink was thrown on his face. This incident is very upsetting and deserves strong condemnation. We firmly believe that strict action must be taken against those responsible.'
