Maharashtra: Govt, Opposition spar over Sambhaji Bhide’s remarks

Sambhaji Bhide

The government and Opposition came face to face in the Assembly on Wednesday, over right-wing activist Sambhaji Bhide's alleged derogatory remarks made against Mahatma Gandhi.

Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis said no individual, his/her status notwithstanding, will be spared if he/she showed disrespect to revered national personalities, through actions or words. The Opposition demanded Bhide's arrest.

MLA Abu Azmi of the Samajwadi Party and others protest the firing on the Jaipur-Mumbai Express while criticising the government that continues to protect Sambhaji Bhide, on the steps of Vidhan Bhavan on Wednesday. Pic/Ashish Raje

Fadnavis, in response to the Opposition's protest against Bhide's remarks last week, said an FIR has been filed in Amravati. Congress leaders Yashomati Thakur and Prithviraj Chavan said they had received threats for criticising Bhide (who they say was also known as Mahohar Kulkarni). Fadnavis assured Thakur protection and punishment for her detractors.

"Nobody has the right to speak against great national personalities, not even Bhide guruji. An FIR has been lodged against him (Bhide) in Amravati. The police said that the videos of the Amravati event were not available and those available on the internet were from various events. So Bhide guruji's voice sample will be taken. The police have served him a notice, which he has accepted," said Fadnavis.

He added that Bhide's associate had read some matter from two books, which the Hindutva activist claimed were authored by Congress leaders. Bhide made some remarks while the reading continued, he said.

Fadnavis also said, "The Congress mouthpiece Shidori will also face an FIR for publishing defamatory content about VD Savarkar." In another discussion, Chavan asked Fadnavis to show evidence of Bhide's claim that he was a highly-qualified Guru (academic).

NCP's Jayant Patil informed the House that Bhide was given a pilot and tail car by the police protection department. "Will you remove his protection?" he asked Fadnavis, who said Patil's information was wrong.