Tensions flared in Pune on Friday evening as a car-carrying senior journalist Nikhil Wagle was allegedly attacked by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers at Khandoji Baba Chowk. The incident occurred as Wagle, accompanied by Aseem Sarode and Vishwambhar Choudhary, was en route to the Nirbhay Bano event organized by Rashtra Seva Dal in the Singhad Road area of Pune.Reports suggest the attack was in response to Wagles critical comments regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP leader LK Advani, following Advani being awarded the Bharat Ratna, Indias highest civilian honor.#WATCH | Maharashtra | Car of journalist Nikhil Wagle was attacked in Pune earlier today. A case was registered against him, earlier in the day, for his reported remarks on PM Modi and BJP veteran leader LK Advani. pic.twitter.com/gSbf4sPEGY— ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2024According to a Deccan police station official, BJP workers allegedly hurled ink at Wagles car, which was under police protection. The incident led to a confrontation between BJP supporters and members of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), resulting in chaotic scenes.Opposition lashes on the BJPReacting strongly to the assault, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut denounced the attack, alleging that MVA women workers were also assaulted by BJP goons during the altercation. Raut criticized the Pune Police for their alleged inaction in preventing the violence.Sanjay Raut wrote on social media platform X, Senior journalist Nikhil Wagles car smashed, ink, eggs thrown at his car.. Brazen Bid to murder democracy by BJP in Pune... MVA will not be deterred, Shame on you Devendra Fadnavis, you are ordering your cadre to harm and injure hapless daughters of Maharashtra...Maharashtra will not forgive you.Several MVA women karyakartas beaten up by BJP goons, eggs, stones, bricks hurled at them, Pune police remain spectators,senior journalist Nikhil Wagles car smashed, ink, eggs thrown at his car..Brazen Bid to murder democracy by BJP in Pune...MVA will not be deterred, Shame on… https://t.co/7HlLGL7IPJ— Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) February 9, 2024Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also condemned the attack, linking it to recent incidents of violence and expressing concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in Maharashtra.Earlier on Friday, Chaturvedi had urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene following the murder of former corporator Abhishek Ghosalkar in Mumbai. The attack on Wagle comes amidst growing tensions in the state, highlighted by incidents like the recent firing by a BJP MLA inside a police station in Thane district.Supriya Sule of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) echoed similar sentiments, denouncing the attack on Wagle and describing him as a voice of truth and a beacon of journalism. Sule criticized the BJP-led government for what she termed as enabling such acts through its tacit support.Supriya Sule wrote, This is not just an assault on an individual but an attack on freedom of speech itself. The deteriorating law and order situation in Maharashtra under the BJP regime that is tacitly enabling such acts is alarming and warrants the strictest accountability. #Goondaraj.Why was Nikhil Wagle attackedThe assault on Wagle comes in the wake of an FIR registered against him for allegedly making offensive remarks against PM Modi and BJP leader LK Advani. Senior BJP leader Sunil Deodhar had filed a complaint against Wagle, prompting police action.प्रिय मित्र- मैत्रिणीनो, भावांनो-बहिणींनो,काल मृत्यू दारात उभा राहिला होता. केवळ तुमच्या प्रेमामुळे वाचलो.मला इजा होऊ नये म्हणून काचांचे तुकडे रुतले तरी मागे न हटणारा असीम सरोदे.,जीवाची बाजी लावून आमची गाडी हाकणारा आमचा सारथी वैभव, पुढच्या सीटवर बसून हल्ला अंगावर घेणारी ॲड…— nikhil wagle (@waglenikhil) February 10, 2024Addressing the Nirbhay Bano event despite the incident, Wagle expressed forgiveness towards his attackers, I forgive all those who attacked me. I have been attacked six times earlier and this was the seventh.Police officials said that some people climbed on top of the four-wheeler, as they blocked him from reaching the event venue. People threw ink on the car.
