Pune: The conflict between the Maratha and OBC communities escalated in the city late on Monday night when a group of Maratha community members heckled OBC activist Laxman Hake, alleging that he was found in an inebriated state. Hake refuted the allegation. He said he was attacked at the behest of Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati of Kolhapur.
The incident unfolded first on Katraj-Kondhwa bypass and later on the Kondhwa police station premises, where members of both the communities gathered and made cross-complaints. The Kondhwa police on Tuesday morning booked the Maratha community members on the charge of rioting, abusing and manhandling Hake. "Hake visited his relative's residence to have dinner when the Maratha community members restrained him and picked up a dispute with him for reaching there in an inebriated state.
They accused Hake of insulting the community and their leader Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj," said additional commissioner of police (east region) Manoj Patil. Hake had gone to visit his relative's place on Katraj-Kondhwa bypass, when a group of Maratha community members surrounded him, claiming that he was roaming in an inebriated state. The video of Hake being heckled went viral on social media.
Hake said, "I was being targeted by the people of Sambhajiraje. One of the attackers casually met me on Monday evening, and later he, along with other people, attacked me at the behest of Sambhajiraje." Following the heckling, Hake went to the Kondhwa police station and lodg.