Ramdas Athawale slapped, RPI (A) calls for Maharashtra bandh

While protesting the hooligan behaviour, members of the Republican Party of India (RPI) have called for a statewide bandh today (December 9) after their party chief and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale was slapped during an event in Ambarnath city.

Soon after the incident took place, hundreds of RPI (A) workers assembled outside Athawale’s residence with party flags, raising slogans. All the more, one of the leaders, Kakasaheb Khambalkar, claimed that the attack was ‘pre-planned’. He told reporters, “It was a pre-planned attack. The mastermind should be nabbed. We’ve called for a Maharashtra bandh today.”

Notably, a man, identified as Pravin Gosavi, was detained on Saturday night for allegedly slapping Athawale at an event in Ambernath city. Apparently, Gosavi was thrashed by the public at the spot and later detained by the police. Reportedly, the accused had approached Athawale to get a picture clicked, and later slapped the Union Minister. Gosavi is currently being treated for injuries at a hospital in the vicinity.

Further, an investigation has been initiated by the police in the matter.

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