Mumbai: NCP (SP) legislator Jitendra Awhad’s vehicle was on Thursday attacked by workers of Swaraj Party allegedly in retaliation for his comments against Sambhaji Raje, a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Awhad criticised Sambhaji Raje holding him responsible for attacks on the local Muslim community at Vishalgad in Kolhapur. Windows of Awhad’s car were damaged in the attack, however, the MLA escaped unhurt.
The NCP (SP) legislator’s vehicle was attacked moments after he left his party’s office in South Mumbai. The activists of Sambhaji Raje Swarajya Sanghatana attacked Awhad’s vehicle. Following this, Awhad said that Sambhaji Raje has incited the riots and betrays the ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji and Chhatrapati Shahu.
The entire incident was captured in a video, which has gone viral. In the video, it can be seen that the activists of Swarajaya Sanghatana are raising slogans of “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Ki Jay '' before attacking the vehicle with a wood stick.
The incident had led to Rasta Roko in Thane, where the NCP (SP) legislator lives, when a large number of the party supporters staged the Rasta Roko on the Eastern Express Highway which caused a massive traffic jam.
Awhad said that he would not call Sambhaji Raje “Chhatrapati” or “Raje” after this riot incident. “As I used to refer to him, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje but after these riots, I will no longer call him Raje,” he said.
According to Awhad, this was not an attack on him as the attackers were three men, he was accompanied by four armed policemen. He refused not tender an apology to Chhatrapati Sambhaji, even if it cost him his life.
It may be recalled that riots had broken out last month after activists of Hindu outfits led by Sambhaji Chhatrapati were halted at the base of the Vishalgadh fort by the police for violating prohibitory orders. The marchers had demanded the demolition of the illegal structures.
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