Sambhaji Brigade leader manhandled in Solapur for remarks against Swami Samarth

Mumbai, Jul 13 (PTI) Sambhaji Brigade founding member Pravin Gaikwad was manhandled allegedly by members of Shiv Dharma Foundation, who also threw black ink on him, in Akkalkot in Maharashtra's Solapur district on Sunday, a police official said.

The attackers were angry with Gaikwad's reported remarks on Swami Samarth, a revered 19th century saint, he said.

Gaikwad had come to attend a felicitation ceremony organised by Fattesingh Shikshan Sanstha and Sakal Maratha Samaj at Akkalkot, where the saint's samadhi is located, when the incident took place this afternoon, the official said.

"While Gaikwad was in his car, Shiv Dharma Foundation supporters staged protests, threw black ink on him and also tried to vandalise his car. Gaikwad was pulled out of his car and manhandled as well," the official said.

A video of the incident wen viral on social media.

The protesters also demanded that Sambhaji Brigade be renamed as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Brigade, the official said. PTI DC BNM