Upping its ante against inclusion of controversial cartoonist Aseem Trivedi in reality show Bigg Boss, party-workers of the youth wing of the Republican Party of India (Athawale) pelted stones at the office of television channel Colors at Vile Parle (E), damaging the glass facade and a few vehicles.
“Around 10 unidentified persons came and started pelting stones on the glass, which developed cracks. The attack was sudden and they absconded within few minutes,” said an eyewitness, on the condition of anonymity.
Nobody sustained injuries. The attack took place even as the police was posted in the office building after the RPI had earlier warned of an agitation.
RPI spokesperson Mayur Borkar, while claiming responsibility for the attack said, “RPI youth wing Mumbai president Ramesh Gaikwad along with 10 other party-workers pelted stones for our demand on the eviction of Trivedi from the Bigg Boss house. This is a preview of what could happen on Saturday if the channel fails to evict Trivedi by Friday.”
Earlier, RPI chief Ramdas Athawale had demanded the eviction of Mr Trivedi from the Bigg Boss house for having sketched cartoons that denigrated the Constitution framed by dalit leader Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Hundreds of irate dalits had marched towards the Bigg Boss house in Lonavala last Thursday to register their protest.
Viacom18 — the owner of Colors channel on which Bigg Boss is aired had also given a letter to Mr Athawale stating that channel respected their opinion and empathised with their views and that the channel had no intention of hurting anyone’s feelings.
Earlier, RPI (A) had even claimed that they had got an assurance from Colors that Mr Trivedi would be evicted soon.