Sambhaji Brigade founding member Pravin Gaikwad was assaulted in Maharashtra’s Solapur district on Sunday, allegedly over his remarks on Swami Samarth, a revered figure considered a reincarnation of Shree Dattatreya. A viral video shows Gaikwad being dragged from his vehicle and attacked by a group, with black ink hurled at him.
The incident triggered a political storm after visuals surfaced showing Deepak Kate, one of the accused, with BJP leaders. However, Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule quickly denied any party involvement. “The BJP has no connection to the attack on Gaikwad. It is not in our character to engage in such acts. An accused is an accused, regardless of affiliation,” Bawankule told reporters.
The police booked Kate and six others from the Shivdharm Foundation under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections for rioting. They were later released after being served notices.
Gaikwad, known for his progressive stance, alleged the assault was ideologically motivated by Hindutva-aligned groups. The attackers were also reportedly angered by his casual reference to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj as just “Sambhaji” and demanded that his organisation be renamed as the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Brigade.
BJP MLC Parinay Fuke accused opposition leaders like Sharad Pawar and Sushma Andhare of politicising the event. “They see BJP’s hand in every incident. This shouldn’t be politicised, though action against the attackers is justified,” Fuke said.
Gaikwad was attending a felicitation event in Akkalkot when the incident occurred. The village is known for its spiritual association with Swami Samarth.
The Sambhaji Brigade, a Maratha rights group, has a controversial past. In 2004, it was accused of vandalising Pune’s Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute over content in American scholar James Laine’s book on Shivaji Maharaj, which the outfit found offensive.
