'Take it as Lord Khandoba's Blessing': BJP Leader to Maha Revenue Minister on Turmeric Powder Attack

BJP leader Gopichand Padalkar has asked Maharashtra revenue minister Radhakrushna Vikhepatil to treat the ‘Bhandara’ (turmeric powder) smeared on him by the Dhangar community as a blessing of Lord Khandoba.

The community members had come to meet Vikhepatil to seek reservation when a member suddenly smeared turmeric powder on him. Padalkar, in a video statement, said the real fight for reservation was already underway in court and hence, people should not fall in the trap laid by other political parties.

“We are already fighting the battle of reservation for Dhangar community in the high court. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is helping us in this fight. Hence, I request all people of the community to not take any such step and not fall in the trap of other political parties.”

He added: “Using turmeric powder to mark protest is appropriate but all should keep their cool. I also request minister Vikhepatil to take it in a positive sense and treat that ‘Bhandara’ as blessing of Lord Khandoba.”

The revenue minister is on a tour of Solapur district. On Friday, a Dhangar community delegation, while handing over their demand to him, smeared turmeric powder on the minister to show their anger and disappointment over not getting reservation.

The man was immediately nabbed by security personnel and identified as Rakesh Bangale, who claims to be an activist of the Dhangar reservation movement. Speaking to local media, Bangale said: “Dhangar community should get reservation and for that, SC reservation should not be touched. If this government doesn’t act fast, we will try and smear ink on the chief minister and deputy chief ministers.”

Meanwhile, Vikhepatil said: “I feel blessed that ‘Bhandara’, which is considered as ‘Prasad’ of Lord Khandoba, was smeared on me. The act happened all of a sudden. Security personnel nabbed that person but I have informed local police to not file any case against him.”