Journalist Nikhil Wagle’s car attacked by BJP workers in Pune, press club slams violence

After journalist Nikhil Wagle’s vehicle was attacked by alleged BJP workers in Pune last night, the Mumbai Press Club issued a statement strongly condemning it.

“All have the right to express their opinions. However, disagreement is a matter of debate and not the trigger to unleash violence on one's political opponents,” the press body tweeted.

The Pune police had lodged an FIR against Wagle yesterday over a “defamatory” social media post that criticised Narendra Modi and LK Advani over the latter being awarded the Bharat Ratna. His post, written in Marathi, said the award was “from one rioter to another”. 

Later that evening, Wagle was heading for a ‘Nirbhay Bano’ event. The BJP Pune unit had sought the cancellation of the event in a letter to the city police and had also threatened to disrupt the programme. 

Wagle’s vehicle was allegedly attacked at four different locations. According to The Indian Express, the vehicle was stopped by BJP workers who shouted slogans and smashed the windows. They also pelted eggs and ink on the car.

Wagle, who spoke at the event, was accompanied by activist Vishwambar Choudhari and lawyer Asim Sarode. 

Indian Express reported that Wagle was escorted to the venue by Maha Vikas Aghadi workers. Several women workers were also allegedly attacked “in full view of hundreds of police personnel”. 

Opposition leaders slammed the Shinde-Fadnavis government for its “brazen bid to murder democracy”. The police later said they detained 20 BJP workers “because no police permission was taken for the agitation”.

The Maharashtra government has been criticised for growing violence in the state. Over the last seven days, two shootings have turned up the heat on Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis. Read here.

This report was published with AI assistance.

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source https://www.newslaundry.com/2024/02/10/journalist-nikhil-wagles-car-attacked-by-bjp-workers-in-pune-press-club-slams-violence

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