Pune, India: Amid rising tensions, Kasba MLA Ravindra Dhangekar has strongly condemned a violent attack on senior journalist Nikhil Wagle and has directed sharp criticism towards the BJP. Dhangekar has urged for strict action to be taken, calling for the police to 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 will not stand for the oppression of intellectuals and activists.
The incident took place during the ‘Nirbhay Bano’ (Be Fearless) meeting at the Sane Guruji Memorial in Pune. The event was set to feature senior journalist Nikhil Wagle, social activist Vishwambhar Chaudhary, and advocate Asim Sarode, who were scheduled to speak out against growing oppression in the country and in favor of democracy. However, the gathering was disrupted by some BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP party activists who attempted to disrupt the event by vandalizing journalist Wagle’s car.
In response to the attack, MLA Ravindra Dhangekar denounced the cowardly assault on Mahavikas Aghadi workers who stood in defense alongside senior journalists and activists. Dhangekar questioned the BJP’s motives in a democratic society where freedom of expression should be upheld without fear, asking, “In a democracy where everyone has the right to express their opinion freely, what is the BJP actually scared of?”
Alleging a premeditated attack orchestrated by the BJP with the collusion of police and the incitement of youth from Scheduled Classes, Dhangekar decried the incident as tarnishing the ideological and cultural fabric of Pune. He affirmed that Punekars will not remain silent until justice is served and urged for decisive action against the BJP.