Ramdas Athawale slapped at public event in Maharashtra, pins blame on inadequate security
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The motive behind the attack is not known though the youth is said to be an activist of Republican Party of India, headed by Athawale, and which is a constituent of the ruling NDA.
Union minister Ramdas Athawale Sunday blamed police for an incident in which a man tried to slap him at a public event in Maharashtra’s Thane district claiming it had failed to provide him adequate security.
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The Republican Party of India (Athawale) chief was in Ambernath town to address a rally late Saturday when Pravin Gosavi (30) tried to slap him.
In a statement issued Sunday morning, Athawale said, “Police did not provide sufficient protection, that helped the assailant to target me. My popularity is growing and it may have resulted in a jealous person charging against me. I am going to meet chief minister of Maharashtra regarding the same.”
Athawale had just got off the dais after delivering a speech on the Constitution when the incident happened at around 10.15 pm Saturday.
Thane: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale slapped by a person at an event in Ambernath. The person identified as Pravin Gosavi was thrashed by the crowd subsequently and later detained by the police. Gosavi is being treated at a nearby hospital. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/AmKsqBLkEP
— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2018
The minister of state for social justice and empowerment was not harmed as the bystanders and police managed to foil Gosavi’s attempt to assault him, an officer said.
Mumbai: Republican Party of India(A) members gather in front of Ramdas Athawale's residence after he was slapped by a person at an event in Thane; RPI leader says, "It was a pre-planned attack. Mastermind should be nabbed. We've called for a Maharashtra Bandh for tomorrow(9 Dec)" pic.twitter.com/UpLgmtwm1a
— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2018
Athawale Sunday morning asked his party workers to maintain peace in the wake of the incident.
The local RPI (A) unit has called for a shutdown in Ambernath on Sunday as a mark of protest.
An officer said the situation in the town was calm and under control, with a large posse of police personnel out on the streets to keep vigil. No untoward incident has been reported since morning, the officer added.