NEW DELHI: Journalist Nikhil Wagle’s vehicle was allegedly assaulted by workers of the Pune unit of Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday, February 9, 2024, night, when he was on his way – along with fellow activists – to a rally venue in Pune.
Earlier in the day, an FIR was filed after a local BJP leader lodged a complaint against Wagle following his comments on X.
“Nikhil Wagle has been booked under sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 500 (defamation) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at the Vishrambaug police station. We are probing the matter further,” a report said.
According to reports, BJP workers threw ink on the car in which Wagle and two others – human rights lawyer Aseem Sarode and activist Vishwambhar Choudhary – were travelling under police protection to the ‘Nirbhay Bano’ event organised by Rashtra Seva Dal.
The window panes of the car were shattered as the protestors went unruly, landing blows and throwing various objects as well as eggs and ink.
Wagle, along with Choudhari and Sarode participated in the ‘Nirbhay Bano’ event at Pune’s Sane Guruji Smarak. The BJP’s Pune Unit had opposed the event citing Wagle’s presence at the event while opposition parties including Congress, NCP, and AAP had lent their support.
A video of the attack was circulated on social media.
The attack on Wagle has been widely condemned.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) posted on X: “The CPJ is concerned about journalist Nikhil Wagle’s safety after his car was attacked by alleged workers of the ruling BJP party on Friday, and a police complaint filed against him over his critical comments against senior BJP leaders. Authorities must investigate the attack swiftly and hold the perpetrators accountable.”
The Press Club of India also posted, “We are deeply disturbed by attack on @waglenikhil and also dismayed to know an FIR filed against him. Targeting journalists to silence them or to threaten for their views are condemnable and unacceptable. We urge @CMOMaharashtra, @PuneCityPolice to inquire and punish the culprits.”
Mumbai Press Club also took to X to condemn the attack. “We strongly condemn the attack on journalist Nikhil Wagle and others by a group of persons claiming to be BJP workers in Pune on Friday. Wagle car was attacked when he was enroute to address a meeting to highlight his opposition to LK Advani receiving the Bharat Ratna award,” it said.
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