Pune Activist Assaulted During TV Interview Over Ganeshotsav DJ Campaign, Accused Arrested

A Pune resident campaigning against loud sound systems during Ganeshotsav was assaulted on camera during a television interview on Tilak Road on Thursday. Later the incident reported, police arrested the accused.

The victim, Vidyanand Bapat, was speaking to a news channel about curbing noise pollution from DJs and dhol-tasha troupes when the assailant, identified as local resident Santosh Chavan, disrupted the broadcast, hurled abuse, and struck him.

Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar reportedly confirmed the suspect's arrest under non-bailable sections, noting that the police are seeking custody remand in court. Security forces have assigned a round-the-clock protection officer to Bapat alongside guards at his residence following a swift threat assessment.

Police records reveal the accused holds prior criminal cases dating to 2014 and 2015.

Speaking to reporters following his detention, Chavan admitted to the assault, alleging that Bapat was selectively targeting traditional Hindu festivities while ignoring broader civic problems.

Bapat dismissed the violence as a desperate attempt at cheap publicity, maintaining he would not back down from his campaign against excessive noise during public celebrations.

Attack Triggers Political Backlash

The assault drew cross-party condemnation across Maharashtra. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended the right to free expression, emphasizing that physical violence over ideological differences remains unacceptable.

Baramati MP Supriya Sule condemned the attack on Vidyanand Bapat, stating that she had spoken with him following the incident. She stressed that resorting to violence and thuggery over ideological differences violates Maharashtra’s progressive traditions and threatens democracy, where every citizen’s right to express an opinion must be respected.

Sule added that while Ganeshotsav remains integral to the state’s culture and should be celebrated with enthusiasm, it must also adapt to changing times and bring society together.

While Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol, and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde echoed similar views, calling for festive traditions to be observed without inconveniencing local residents.

Leaders from opposition parties, including the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), staged demonstrations outside the Vishrambaug police station. Representatives from various Pune Ganesh mandals also publicly distanced themselves from the incident, unanimously denouncing the violence.

The Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti issued a statement warning that unchecked intimidation against civic activists threatens public participation in tackling corruption, pollution, and social malpractices across the state.