Supporters of Sharad Pawar smear ink on author Namdev Jadhav in Pune

However, after learning about the agitation, BORI refused permission for the event. As a few supporters congregated at BORI for the protest, adequate police personnel were deployed at the institute to prevent any untoward incident. Later, the supporters went to Patrakar Bhavan, where Jadhav had come for another event on Saturday evening. While he was interacting with the media at the Patrakar Bhavan, NCP supporters who gathered there started shouting slogans in support of Sharad Pawar.

A policeman, who was accompanying Jadhav, tried to pacify the NCP supporters and asked them to keep calm. However, one of the supporters surpassed him and smeared Jadhav’s face with blank ink. More supporters joined in and started throwing black ink on Jadhav even as the policeman shielded him in a tight embrace.

Speaking to the media after the ink-assault, Jadhav said he had filed a criminal complaint at Vishrambaug police station.

“I have been arguing, in public interest, that Sharad Pawar is responsible for OBCs getting reservation that rightly belongs to Marathas. They should respond to my argument instead of throwing ink at me,” said Jadhav.

He said considering the past conduct of NCP MLA from Karjat-Jamkhed Rohit Pawar, he believes that Rohit was behind the attack.
“In the past, he tried to discredit me by getting a letter signed from Jijau’s descendents. He has also been making public statements against me. I believe he may have orchestrated this assault on me,” said Jadhav. Later, Jadhav released a statement on social media and demanded that a case be lodged against Sharad Pawar and MLA Rohit Pawar.

Meanwhile, senior inspector at Vishrambag police station Ravindra Gaikwad said the process is on to lodge an FIR against those who allegedly gathered illegally and threw ink on Jadhav. Meanwhile, Ankush Kakade, an NCP spokesperon, accused Jadhav of making false and defamatory statements about Sharad Pawar.

“He (Jadhav) is circulating fake affidavits without providing any concrete proof. The NCP workers threw ink on him, which was a reaction to the false comments he has made about our leader,” said Kakade.

“Earlier, Jadhav used to sing praises of Sharad Pawar and now suddenly he has done a U-turn. Some BJP leaders are behind him,” said the NCP spokesperson.