INDIA-bloc parties are politicising koratkar issue: CM Fadnavis

Rahul Gayakwad / TNN / Mar 6, 2025, 23:09 IST

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis accused INDIA alliance parties of politicizing the issue involving derogatory statements made by journalist Prashant Koratkar about historical figures. During Fadnavis's visit to Kolhapur, police arrested over fifty party workers protesting for Koratkar's immediate arrest. The police assured legal actions were underway, emphasizing political motives behind the disruptions.

INDIA-bloc parties are politicising koratkar issue: CM Fadnavis

CM Devendra Fadnavis and Higher and Technical education minister Chandrakant Patil at BJP Party office in Kolhapur on Thursday evening.

KOLHAPUR: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, speaking at Kolhapur Airport on Thursday, said that the INDIA parties are only politicising the issue of Nagpur-based journalist Prashant Koratkar's alleged call to historian Indrajit Sawant, in which the caller made derogatory statements about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.
INDIA alliance parties threatened to disrupt the CM's Kolhapur visit over alleged remarks against idols of Maharashtra. "They are only politicising the issue. They know that police immediately registered the case. The sessions court stayed the arrest, but the police appealed the decision and sought custody and requested to revoke the interim relief. I think some people want to play politics on this issue, let them do," said Fadnavis.
CM Fadnavis was on his visit to Kolhapur district on Thursday, and the Kolhapur police were put on alert as the office bearers of INDIA alliance parties warned to show black flags to the convoy of CM Devendra Fadnavis, demanding the immediate arrest of Nagpur-based journalist Prashant Koratkar, who allegedly insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj while threatening a Kolhapur-based historian.
A heavy police force was deployed across the city streets, and over fifty INDIA alliance party workers were detained by the police force in a day-long operation.

Heavy police force deployed across Kolhapur city for visit of CM Devendra Fadnavis.

Deputy Superintendent of Police for Kolhapur city, Ajit Tike, said, "Over 25 party workers were detained from their houses on Thursday morning, while an equal number were detained from Khanvilkar Petrol Pump area in the evening session when they tried to obstruct the road to show black flags way before the arrival of CM Fadnavis in Kolhapur city."

INDIA alliance party workers detained by Kolhapur police.

Meanwhile, Kolhapur police issued notices to the members of Shaktipeeth Highway Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti as well, asking them to protest for their demands in a legal manner. Convenor of Shaktipeeth Highway Virodhi Sangharsh Samiti, Girish Phonde, said, "We were issued notices on Wednesday by police, and we are put under house custody throughout the day. We will show our strength on March 12 in Mumbai."

End of Article