Congress Spokesperson assaulted By Hindutva activists in Pune
A Congress spokesperson from Maharashtra, Hanumant Pawar, was allegedly slapped and assaulted by a group led by Hindutva activist Tushar Damgude following an argument outside the Pudhari News office in Pune on Monday evening.
According to Pawar, the altercation took place around 5:30 pm after both men had participated in a televised debate on Pudhari News Channel.
He alleged that Damgude confronted him over his criticism of the BJP and the RSS and for supporting Maharashtra Congress president Harshawardhan Sapkal.
Pawar further claimed he was threatened with a firearm during the confrontation. Along with Damgude were Balasaheb Galphade, Gaurav Rathod, Shrinivas Nigde, Rishikesh Pardeshi, and Abhimanyu.
He has filed a complaint at Swargate police station against Damgude and others, and CCTV footage of the incident has circulated on social media.
Police have registered an offence under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (2023), including sections related to assault, criminal intimidation, and intentional insult, along with provisions under the Arms Act, 1959, against 6 individuals.
Mohan Joshi, senior Congress leader, speaking to the media, said, "Such a kind of attack is not acceptable in a democracy. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is behind such attacks, and the administration is supporting them. Yesterday's incident, where Congress party spokesperson Hanumant Pawar was threatened to be killed and physically assaulted by a group of four to five people, is unbearable. The Congress Party will not tolerate such incidents. We met with the CP Amitesh Kumar and demanded police protection for Pawar."
Damgude has denied the allegations and accused Pawar of using abusive language during and after a recent debate related to Tipu Sultan.
He claimed Pawar threatened him for taking a stand against Naxalites and said he would also file a police complaint in the matter.
A police investigation has been initiated and is underway. Damgude is also known as the complainant in the Elgaar Parishad case, in which several activists were arrested over alleged links to the banned CPI (Maoist).
