Sena MLA apologises over midnight call to publisher, Rohit Pawar announces protest

Kolhapur: NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar said on Friday that progressive activists and political parties associated with the INDIA bloc will hold a protest rally and a public reading of the Govind Pansare-authored book on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on April 28 at Buldhana, the hometown of Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad.Gaikwad had earlier allegedly threatened the publisher, Prashant Ambi of Kolhapur, for mentioning only the first name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as the title of the book published in 1988.Pawar visited the Rajarampuri police station on Friday and demanded an FIR be registered against Gaikwad, who not just threatened Ambi, but used expletives against his mother and wife, while making objectionable remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during a 10-minute midnight call made to the publisher.Meanwhile, in a video statement released on Friday, the Sena MLA has tendered an apology to Ambi and his mother and wife for using foul language."Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is god to crores of Indians. I have demanded the names of institutions with only his first name be changed to carry the complete name Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. In this book, the first name is mentioned 500-700 times. I tender my apology for the expletives I used that night against Ambi's mother and wife. Those who want to come to Buldhana are welcome, but they must ensure they say Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj — the full name," said Gaikwad.Meanwhile, Pawar said, "Gaikwad may have apologised, but there should be legal action for the crime he has committed. We sat in the police station for over an hour and there is pressure now to register an FIR against the Sena MLA. He may have tendered the apology sensing that an FIR will be lodged. Additionally, we are going to read the book in Buldhana and there will be a protest rally on April 28."Pawar said the police were apprised of Gaikwad's background and the seriousness of the alleged crime was explained to them. The police assured that an FIR would be registered as per the complaint filed by Ambi. "We hope it is filed by midnight. Police should not shield the MLA and take strict action. They must show how much they honour our ladki bahin's and our idols," he added.Police inspector Satish Hodgar said the process of the FIR registration would be carried out as per the complaint application. However, no FIR was registered till the time of going to press.