OBC Activist Laxman Hake Manhandled by Maratha Protesters in Pune

OBC activist Laxman Hake was allegedly manhandled and verbally abused by Maratha community members in Pune. A case has been filed against 25 individuals. A video surfaced on social media showing protesters accusing Hake of being drunk. The police are investigating the incident and the medical test results are awaited.

OBC activist Laxman Hake allegedly faced manhandling and verbal abuse from members of the Maratha community in Pune, as a video of the incident circulated on social media, according to police reports on Tuesday.

Authorities have registered a case against 25 individuals related to the assault that took place near Kondhwa on Monday night.

The circulating video depicted Maratha community members protesting against Hake, with claims that he was intoxicated and verbally abusive towards some of them.

A senior official from the Kondhwa police station confirmed, "We have registered a case against 25 people under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita for abusing and manhandling OBC activist Laxman Hake, and the matter is being probed."

Protestors reportedly brought Hake to the police station, demanding a medical test to confirm their allegations of his inebriation.

Under heavy security, Hake was taken to Sassoon General Hospital late last night for the medical test.

"Hake was ready to undergo the test to clear the allegations against him. Test results will arrive in two days, and necessary action will be taken based on the findings," the official added.

Hake has claimed there was a conspiracy to kill him and mentioned that the police are probing the allegations against him.

Last week, Hake and fellow OBC activist Navnath Waghmare suspended their fast in Jalna to safeguard OBC quotas after Maratha quota agitator Manoj Jarange called off his indefinite hunger strike.

Jarange has been advocating for reservations for the Maratha community under the OBC category.

(With inputs from agencies.)