Maratha Groups Plan Statewide Protests Following Attack on Leader

In response to an attack on their leader, several Maratha organizations have announced plans for statewide protests. The demonstrations aim to condemn the assault on Praveen Gaikwad, the state unit chief of the Sambhaji Brigade. During a meeting held in Pune on Monday, leaders confirmed that the specific date and time for the protests would be disclosed shortly.

Protesters intend to submit memorandums to district collectors across the state, demanding strict action against those responsible for the attack. Tushar Kakade, a representative from Shivsangram, emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “The protestors will submit a memorandum to all district collectors and demand stringent action against the culprits.”

The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon in Akkalkot, a town in Solapur, where several individuals allegedly led by Dipak Kate of the Shivdharma Foundation attacked Gaikwad. Kate, who also holds a position as the state secretary of the BJP Yuva Morcha, reportedly threw black ink on Gaikwad, targeting his head and face.

Following the incident, local police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against seven individuals, including Kate. The charges encompass sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita pertaining to voluntarily causing hurt, unlawful assembly, rioting, and mischief. Kakade expressed the intention to urge the state government to invoke provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act in relation to the case.

“This attack is not an assault on an individual but an attack on a school of thought,” said Sachin Aadekar of Maratha Kranti Morcha. He added that the struggle should be grounded in principles, not violence. In a similar vein, Prashant Dhumal, the Pune district president of the Sambhaji Brigade, called on the state government to enforce the recently introduced Jan Suraksha Act against the attackers.

Gaikwad described the event as an attempted murder, reflecting on the tensions surrounding the name of the organization. He noted that Kate demanded the addition of “Chhatrapati” before “Sambhaji Brigade,” arguing that not including the title disrespected Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Gaikwad explained, “We previously discussed changing the name of Sambhaji Brigade. However, the name with Chhatrapati before Sambhaji Brigade is already registered by someone else, and changing the name of our outfit will require technical adjustments.”

He also indicated that the assailant is affiliated with the ruling party at both the state and national levels, further complicating the situation. As Maratha organizations mobilize for protest, the incident underscores ongoing tensions related to identity and representation within the region.