Pune: OBC leader Laxman Hake has come forward to share his account of the events that unfolded on Monday (September 30) night in the Kondhwa area, where he was accused of consuming alcohol by a group of Maratha protestors.
Hake denied the allegations and claimed that the incident was a part of a pre-planned conspiracy against him, orchestrated by Sambhaji Raje.
According to Hake, the chain of events began when he was out for his evening walk. "I was walking as usual when this man, Mate, came up to me. He tried to start a quarrel, but I remained calm. However, things escalated quickly," Hake recounted.
He added that this was no random confrontation but a targeted act. "It was clear from the beginning that this was part of a larger plan to defame me."
Hake did not hold back in accusing Sambhaji Raje, a prominent figure in the Maratha community, of being behind the incident. He claimed that Mate and his accomplices were acting under the orders of Sambhaji Raje.
"This is Sambhaji Raje's doing. He sent people after me. If the police investigate the call records of Mate and his accomplice, the truth will come out," Hake stated during a press conference.
He further elaborated that the real motive behind the attack was to discredit his role in the ongoing OBC movement.
Hake said, "For years, the OBC community has been fighting for its rights, just like the people under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's rule. We are battling for OBC reservations, and Sambhaji Raje does not want this movement to succeed. That's why he is trying to tarnish my reputation."
One of the key accusations made against Hake during the incident was that he had been drinking alcohol. Hake vehemently denied this, calling it a baseless claim.
"I was accused of drinking, but I categorically deny it. I was walking at around 5 PM when Mate confronted me. Is that a time for drinking? The whole allegation is fabricated," Hake explained.
"In the video, you can clearly see that my hands were being held by young men, and some were even grabbing me by the neck. This attack was planned well in advance," Hake said.
"I gave my blood samples to the authorities. Let the evidence speak for itself. I have nothing to hide," he added.
After the confrontation, Hake said he acted swiftly. "As soon as I realized I was under attack, I went straight to the police station to report the incident. I then held a press conference to make the public aware of what was happening. I will not allow anyone to defame me or the OBC cause," he declared.