Supporters of suspended Congressman Narayan Rane attacked the office of Marathi daily Navakal in Mumbai on Thursday, the Times of India reported. The attack was apparently in protest against a satirical editorial written on Rane and his innings in different political parties.
The protesters, who smashed windowpanes and hurled paver blocks into the newspaper house in Girgaum, claimed to be members of Swabhimaan, an organisation floated by Rane's son Nitesh. Navakal's editor, Nilkanth also known as Nilubhau Khadilkar, alleged that the attack was executed at Rane's behest.
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"They were Rane's goons. He has gone wild after I wrote that editorial,'' Khadilkar said. "He sent 15 people to ransack the office. They abused the employees and broke glass panels." He added, "This is an attack on the freedom of press. Everyone has the right to criticise. Rane may have crores of rupees but I am not going to seek compensation. I don't want any of that dirty money.''
Rane, when contacted, said, "I am out of Mumbai and but did not like the manner in which the editorial has been written. The Navakal editor wanted some land free of cost but I could not give it. Hence, the editorial attack.''
Khadilkar has referred to Rane as `Narya' in the editorial, which charts his rise in the Shiv Sena, his rebellion, shift to the Congress and his second protest. Nitesh said, "Swabhimaan members reacted to the personal attack on Rane. In future, they must think before writing.''
CM Ashok Chavan said he had asked the police to deal firmly with the offenders. "One must learn to accept criticism. We will not tolerate attacks on newspapers.'' He also spoke to Khadilkar's daughter who said it was the first attack on Navakal in its history of 85 years.
