Pune: Ink Attack at NCP(SP) Leader Vikas Lawande Over ‘Infiltration’ Remarks in Warkari Movement

Pune, 9th May 2026: Vikas Lawande, spokesperson of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), was allegedly attacked and smeared with black ink by a group led by right-wing preacher Sangram Bhandare at Mhatobachi Alandi in Pune district on Saturday, allegedly over Lawande’s recent remarks concerning the Warkari movement.

A video of the incident, which has surfaced on social media, shows Bhandare confronting Lawande over his comments targeting certain spiritual leaders linked to the Warkari sect.

Lawande reached the Loni Kalbhor Police Station after the incident and demanded immediate action against the alleged attackers. “I will not leave until they are arrested,” he told reporters outside the police station.

The controversy stems from an ongoing political row over alleged “infiltration” into the Warkari movement. Last month, Sharad Pawar had claimed that regressive elements had entered the traditionally peace-loving Warkari sect and said he would expose around 40 such “infiltrators”. During a recent television debate, Lawande further escalated the issue by alleging that some Kirtankars were acting as infiltrators within the movement.

Subsequently, the NCP (SP) released a list of several prominent spiritual figures, claiming they had disturbed the Warkari tradition’s legacy of social equality. The statements triggered strong reactions from sections of the Warkari community and right-wing groups.

In a Facebook post, Lawande alleged that the attack took place while he was returning after delivering a discourse near Loni Kalbhor on Saturday night. According to him, Bhandare and 10 to 15 supporters intercepted his vehicle using multiple cars, dragged him out, assaulted him and poured black ink over him. He further alleged that some of the attackers pointed a pistol at him and threatened to kill him before fleeing the spot.

“They warned me not to speak against their gurus and threatened to eliminate me,” Lawande claimed, adding that he survived because local residents gathered at the spot and his driver intervened.

Former MLA and NCP leader Amol Mitkari condemned the assault, while party spokesperson Suraj Chavan criticised both Lawande and Bhandare, alleging that such controversies were bringing disrepute to the Warkari sect.