PUNE, Sept. 4 -- In an incident that triggered widespread condemnation from citizens, political leaders and social organisations, Vidyanand Bapat, a 37-year-old Narayan Peth resident who has long campaigned against the use of loudspeakers and DJs during Ganeshotsav, was allegedly slapped by Santosh Chavan, a former president of a Ganesh mandal and a habitual offender. The incident occurred on Thursday morning at Sadashiv Peth in Pune while Bapat, an active member of the anti-superstition outfit Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS) who also speaks up against noise pollution, was speaking to the media on camera. As a result, the entire incident was recorded and swiftly shared on social media. His pushback against traditional celebrations impinging on the residents' peace and public health has drawn flak from a cross-section of Ganesh mandals. The Pune police have arrested Chavan for the alleged assault on Bapat and registered cases under sections 353(2), 126(2), 296, 115(2), 351(2) and 352 of the BNS, 2023. After examining the CCTV footage, deputy commissioner of police, Zone-1 of Pune police, Krushikesh Rawale, said, "One person has been identified, and investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the assault and determine whether any other person was involved." Chavan, a resident of Kothrud in the heart of Pune, works for a real estate developer. He is the former president of the Priyadarshini Ganesh Mandal in nearby Rautwadi, against whom at least five to six cases of assault have been registered in the past, said Pune police. After the incident, Chavan allegedly defended his attack on Bapat to media persons on camera. He stated that he took the step because Bapat was allegedly criticising Ganeshotsav, claiming he would repeat the act on anyone who speaks against the Ganesh festival in Pune. Addressing the media after the incident, Bapat said, "I only emphasised that care should be taken to ensure zero noise pollution and traffic congestion during festivals. People are free to celebrate the festival and I have no objection to that." Assuring stern action against the attacker, police commissioner Amitesh Kumar said, "We are recording the statement of the arrested accused. No one is allowed to use violence against anyone. The police will take strict action against people involved in any kind of violence." Condemning the attack, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "Police will take appropriate action against the accused." He also appealed to citizens and Ganesh mandals to celebrate the festival in a traditional manner. The assault immediately prompted a protest by representatives of NCP (SP) outside the Pune police Commissionerate. Party MLA Rohit Pawar said that those who disagreed with Bapat's views "should have engaged with him through reasoned debate instead of resorting to violence" and called the assault on Bapat a consequence of a "disturbed mindset"....