Police have registered an FIR against devotional preacher Sangram Bhandare and more than 10 of his supporters in connection with Pune ink attack case, reported the PTI.
The incident took place on Saturday at Mhatobachi Alandi in Haveli tehsil, where a group led by Bhandare allegedly confronted Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP SP) leader Vikas Lawande over his recent remarks against several Hindu spiritual leaders.
A video of the incident, which has gone viral on social media, showed the group approaching Lawande and throwing ink at him during the confrontation.
Based on Lawande’s complaint, the Loni Kalbhor police registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including rioting, unlawful assembly, wrongful confinement, voluntarily causing hurt and criminal intimidation, the news agency reported.
Police officials said further investigation into the incident is underway.
राष्ट्रवादी काँग्रेस पार्टी – शरदचंद्र पवार (@NCPspeaks) चे प्रवक्ते विकास लवांडे यांच्यावर म्हातोबाची आळंदी ते पुणे दरम्यानच्या प्रवासात हल्ला करण्यात आला. हा हल्ला करणाऱ्या गुंडांकडे हत्यारे देखील होती. या हल्ल्यात विकास लवांडे यांना सुदैवाने दुखापत झाली नाही. परंतु ही घटना… pic.twitter.com/ixvYlFt4CO
— Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) May 9, 2026
Lawande meets Sharad Pawar
A day after the incident, Lawande met NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar at his residence. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Lawande said Pawar had taken serious note of the attack and sought strict action from the police.
According to Lawande, Pawar spoke to Maharashtra Director General of Police Sadanand Date and requested police protection for him considering the seriousness of the matter.
Lawande also stated that Pawar contacted Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar and urged authorities to take strict action against those involved, according to the PTI.
Row over `infiltrator` remarks
Lawande has recently criticised several religious figures, including Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, Kali Charan, Pradeep Sharma and Swami Anand Swaroop, describing them as `infiltrators` from North India allegedly brought into Maharashtra by the BJP and RSS, as per the PTI.
The comments triggered strong reactions from sections of the Warkari community and supporters of Hindu spiritual leaders.
Bhandare later defended the ink attack on social media, calling it a `protest` against what he termed Lawande’s “baseless allegations” against saints and preachers associated with the Warkari movement.
Debate over Warkari tradition
The controversy comes amid a wider political debate over the Warkari tradition in Maharashtra.
Recently, Sharad Pawar, in a magazine article, expressed concern that “regressive elements” had entered the centuries-old Warkari movement and that some preachers were encouraging religious fanaticism.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had rejected Pawar’s remarks, stating that the comments reflected a misunderstanding of the Warkari tradition.
The Warkari sect is devoted to Lord Vitthal of Pandharpur and is known for its annual pilgrimage tradition, which has inspired saint-poets such as Tukaram and Namdev.
(with PTI inputs)