Pune, India: The tension in Maharashtra has escalated as Kasba MLA Ravindra Dhangekar has strongly condemned a violent attack on senior journalist Nikhil Wagle and criticized the BJP. Dhangekar is calling for strict action, demanding that police invoke Section 307 against the BJP workers responsible for the assault.
Emphasizing the rich legacy of Maharashtra, Dhangekar stated, “Maharashtra is a state of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Shahu, Phule, and Ambedkar. This Maharashtra will not tolerate attacks on social reformers and intellectuals on its soil.” He affirmed that the people of Maharashtra would teach a resounding lesson to those who oppress intellectuals and activists.
The incident unfolded during the ‘Nirbhay Bano’ (Be Fearless) meeting at the Sane Guruji Memorial in Pune. Senior journalist Nikhil Wagle, social activist Vishwambhar Chaudhary, and advocate Asim Sarode were scheduled to address the event, speaking out against growing oppression in the country and in favor of democracy. However, the gathering was disrupted by BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP party activists who attempted to thwart the event by vandalizing journalist Wagle’s car.
In response to the attack, MLA Ravindra Dhangekar condemned the cowardly assault and questioned the BJP’s motives in a democratic society. He alleged a premeditated attack orchestrated by the BJP, with the collusion of police and the incitement of youth from Scheduled Classes, deeming it as tarnishing the ideological and cultural fabric of Pune.
Dhangekar called for Punekars to not remain silent until justice is served and urged for decisive action against the BJP, emphasizing the importance of upholding freedom of expression in a democratic society. He has also demanded that police invoke Section 307 against the BJP workers responsible for the assault, furthering the call for accountability in this incident.