Pune, May 21: NCP (SP) spokesperson Vikas Lawande was arrested in Pune on Thursday for allegedly making controversial remarks against some spiritual leaders from the Warkari sect, officials said.
Lawande had secured interim protection from a court till May 20. He claimed that he was taken into custody despite there being no proof against him.
A complaint was earlier filed against Lawande at the Wagholi police station in Pune for allegedly targeting certain spiritual leaders from the Warkari sect. Lawande had referred to some spiritual leaders and members as “intruders” in the sect, triggering sharp reactions from sections of the community.
“Lawande has been arrested after the interim protection granted to him by the court ended on Wednesday,” a senior police official said.
On May 9, ‘kirtankar’ (devotional preacher) Sangram Bhandare and his followers had allegedly poured black ink on Lawande at Mhatobachi Alandi in Pune district over his comments.
The term ‘Warkari’ is used for devotees of Lord Vitthal of Pandharpur who undertake an annual pilgrimage on foot to the temple town. The tradition goes back several centuries and has inspired great Bhakti poets.
In a social media post, Lawande claimed that he had been arrested despite there being no evidence against him.
“Instead of taking action against the guilty, Pune police are targeting the innocent. The accused Sangram Bhandare and others who attacked me are roaming free, but despite no proof against me, police have arrested me,” Lawande said.
NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule condemned the police action and questioned the functioning of the state home department.
Lawande has recently been vocal against leaders such as Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, Kali Charan, Pradeep Sharma, and Swami Anand Swaroop, labelling them as “infiltrators” from North India brought into Maharashtra by the BJP and RSS.
NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, in a magazine article, had expressed concerns that regressive elements had entered the Warkari tradition in recent times and the discourses of some preachers of the sect encouraged religious fanaticism.
However, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had rejected the remarks, saying the article was completely wrong and showed a lack of understanding of the tradition.
