Pune: NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Friday protested the assault on Pune citizen Vidyanand Bapat who has been vocal against the noise pollution during festivals. “Assaulting someone who is exercising his right to express is an attack on democracy,” Pawar said.Bapat was assaulted by a Ganesh Mandal worker in Pune’s Narayan Peth when he was interacting with the media on Thursday. While the attacker was later arrested, the Pune police have given police protection to Bapat.Reacting to the assault on Bapat, Pawar said police commissioner as well as the police officials at the state level should ensure that the rights of citizens are safeguarded. “I do not know Bapat personally but the issue that he has raised is quite valid and I support his stand,” Pawar said while interacting with the media in Pune.The veteran politician also opposed the use of DJs and loudspeakers during the festivals. He said, “Festival celebrations should provide joy to people, however use of loudspeakers, DJs and encroachments on roads reduces the seriousness of any festival.”While citizens demand to ban use of DJs and loudspeakers is growing in Pune city, other districts like Solapur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar since last year have avoided use of DJs during Ganesh festival. Pawar cited examples of these districts and said, “Some decisions (on curb of use of DJ) should be taken on the similar lines of what Solapur district has done. In any case, the attacks on people raising voice should be stopped and if required, police should take some strict measures.”Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis who was in Pune on Friday also protested the assault on Bapat and said, “There can be difference of opinion but violence is not at all accepted.”Fadnavis also advised Bapat to be more accommodative while making statements. “He speaks quite fluent Marathi and it is now trending on social media. While he is expressing his views, we hope he can be bit more accommodative,” Fadnaivs said while speaking to media in Pune.
