OBC resistance leader Laxman Hake (L); Maratha reservation campaigner Manoj Jarange-Patil
Credit: PTI, Facebook
Mumbai: The ongoing war-of-words between Maratha reservation campaigner Manoj Jarange-Patil and OBC resistance leader Laxman Hake took a new turn with a purported video of the latter being under the influence of alcohol and being manhandled surfacing in social media platforms and going viral.
Hake, the founder of OBC Sangharsh Sena, however, has denied the allegations that he was drunk.
The incident took place in the Katraj-Kondhwa area of Pune.
The viral video showed Hake being supported by his colleagues during the incident even as he was surrounded by a group.
The group led by Sudhir Mate, Pune President of Rashtriya Chava Sanghatna and other Maratha youth alleged that Hake was under the influence of alcohol.
After the incident both sides went to the Kondhwa police station.
Hake was taken to the Sassoon Hospital where initial tests were conducted. “We have registered a case against 25 people under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita for abusing and manhandling Hake, and the matter is being probed," according to the Kondhwa police station officials. "It was clear from the beginning that this was part of a larger plan to defame me,” said Hake.
Asked about the development, Jarange-Patil said that he was not concerned with what had happened. “This is not my culture to go after someone,” he said.
Of late, Hake has been crucial of Yuvraj Sambhaji Raje Chhatrapati, the descendent of legendary Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and eminent social reformer Chhatrapati Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj.