Loksatta editor Kumar Ketkar’s residence attacked

The house of leading Marathi daily Loksatta's editor Kumar Ketkar was attacked by a local outfit.

The residence of leading Marathi daily Loksatta’s editor Kumar Ketkar was attacked allegedly by Shiv Sangram activists on Thursday for criticising the Congress-NCP led government on the issue of installing a statue of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji in the Arabian sea.

Five persons were held in connection with the incident, police said. The activists numbering about 70 persons, pelted stones damaging window panes after making an unsuccesful attempt to ransack the house in the morning.

Ketkar and his wife were in the house during the attack, sources close to him said. The activists also burnt the copies of Loksatta and smeared black paint at the entrance door of the house, police said.

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The activists were protesting against an editorial, which commented on the Maharashtra Government’s proposal to install a 309-feet statue of Maratha warrior Shivaji one kilometre into the Arabian Sea off Marine Drive.

In the editorial, Ketkar had alleged that Maharashtra government was trying to gain political mileage by misusing the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji.

The outfit’s president Vinayak Mete, a former MLC of NCP, claimed responsibility for the attack. He said the editorial hurt the sentiments of the people. The outfit however, does not have any direct link with NCP.

“I accept responsibility for the attack, however I do not support the manner in which Ketkar’s house was attacked,” Mete said.

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Minister of State for Home Siddharam Mhetre said strict action would be taken against the activists.