At least four tourists, including a woman, were attacked at Sinhagad Fort, located near Pune, due to their attire. According to the Pune Rural Police, this incident occurred on a rainy Sunday and has since attracted significant attention as videos of the altercation circulated online. The police have recorded a case against eight members of the Samast Hindu Bandhav Army, which includes three women, for offences such as assault, rioting, unlawful assembly, and criminal intimidation.

The identified individuals involved in the incident include Sanket Sanjay Patil, Ashish Dilip Apar, Revan Narayan Kokte, Sayali Sujit Chavan, Ketaki Suraj Jadhav, Amar Ramchandra Shirke, Kunal Kisan Nalawade, and Arya Praveen Kawade. The reported timings of the incident were between 2 pm and 5 pm, with attendees from four different groups allegedly being singled out due to their clothing choices.

Eyewitness Accounts and Reactions

The situation reportedly escalated when a 39-year-old senior manager along with his family and friends visited the fort. After paying homage at the memorial of Tanaji Malusare, a commander under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the group was approached by members of the aforementioned organisation who challenged them regarding their choice of wearing shorts. The complaint filed stated that this group was questioned aggressively, leading to physical violence against the tourists.

Witnesses allege that three men physically assaulted the senior manager, while one of the women from the group reportedly attempted to pull the man’s wife. The aggressors allegedly made remarks referencing adherence to “Hindu culture” to justify their actions. Following the incident, the family managed to alert a police patrol stationed nearby and proceeded to the Haveli police station to file a formal complaint.

Upon investigation, police learned that other visitors had also experienced similar disturbances at the fort. Three additional tourists, which included another female victim, were allegedly assaulted by the same group, according to police reports. The victims described being slapped and, in some instances, being hit with plastic rods during the confrontations.

Police Investigation and Next Steps

Authorities have acknowledged the seriousness of this incident and have initiated an investigation to understand the events more clearly. Inspector Rajesh Ramaghare, representing the Haveli police station, confirmed that teams have been dispatched to locate the suspects. He remarked that efforts are underway to apprehend the eight accused individuals, including three women, and highlighted that further inquiries are ongoing.

Meanwhile, the police are meticulously evaluating the circumstances surrounding the clashes, including the allegations made by the affected tourists. The footage of the brawl that emerged online serves as a crucial piece of evidence, helping authorities piece together a timeline of events as they work to ensure the safety of visitors at this prominent tourist site.

The incident has raised concerns regarding the behaviour of certain groups at popular tourist locations and the treatment of individuals based on their attire. The call for legal action and the need for a peaceful environment for all visitors remains a priority for local authorities as they navigate this troubling situation and aim to prevent future occurrences.

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