Daijiworld Media Network – Jalna

Jalna, Aug 16: Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Anant Kulkarni came under fire after being caught on camera kicking a protester who attempted self-immolation before Maharashtra Minister Pankaja Munde’s convoy on Independence Day.

The protester, identified as Gopal Chaudhary, had been on a hunger strike outside the District Collector’s office. On August 15, when Munde’s convoy was passing, he allegedly poured kerosene on himself and tried to immolate. Police intervened to stop him, during which Kulkarni was seen kicking one of the protesters.

Justifying his action, Kulkarni said, “Chaudhary has been on a hunger strike for days. Despite repeated attempts to convince him, he tried to set himself ablaze when the minister arrived. While stopping him, he poured kerosene on a female police officer, forcing us to use force to detain him.”

The incident has sparked political outrage. NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar strongly criticised Kulkarni, writing on X that kicking a citizen seeking justice through protest was “the height of perversion.” He demanded strict government action against the officer and justice for Chaudhary.