Activists of a radical pro-Marathi organisation today attacked and vandalised the house of Kumar Ketkar, Editor of Loksatta, the Marathi newspaper of The Indian Express Group, protesting against an editorial that mocked the state government plans to install a 309-foot-tall statue of Shivaji in the Arabian Sea off Marine Drive.

Some 70-80 men belonging to the Shiv Sangram, considered a socio-religious outfit and led by former NCP MLC Vinayak Methe, hurled stones, broke window panes, tarred doors and windows and tried to break into Ketkar’s house in the Kopri area of Thane. They also burnt copies of Loksatta on the road outside the house.

Ketkar and his wife were at home but were unhurt in the attack which started a little after 10 am and lasted for about 15-20 minutes until police arrived and dispersed the mob. Thane police said seven men were arrested and one policeman was injured in the violence.

Thane Police Commissioner Anil Dhere said the men had been booked for rioting, criminal intimidation and obstructing police from doing their duty. He said more arrests were likely and action would also be taken against Shiv Sangram founder Methe who had “owned up responsibility for the attack while talking to TV channels”.

Justifying the attack, Methe told The Indian Express: “After so many years, the state government has passed the proposal of installing Chhatrapati Shivaji’s statue in the Arabian Sea. He (Ketkar) has used derogatory language against Chhatrapati Shivaji to oppose the move. So our workers attacked his residence in protest.”

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