PUNE: Anti-noise campaigner Vidyanand Bapat of Narayan Peth was assaulted on Tilak Road on Thursday allegedly by a member of a Kothrud-based Ganesh mandal, amid a simmering debate over the use of DJs and high-decibel sound systems during Ganeshotsav.The accused, identified as Santosh Chavan, president of Kothrud-based Janjagruti Pratishthan, was taken into custody soon after the incident. The Vishrambaug police later registered an FIR under sections 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and 353(2) (statements promoting enmity/hatred) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, strongly condemned the assault, saying every citizen had the right to express views. “Police have arrested the accused. In a city like Pune, such disputes should not turn violent. I have said earlier too that we should return Ganeshotsav celebrations to the traditional way. We may not achieve complete success in the first year, but we must make a sincere effort to reach that goal over time,” Fadnavis said.Deputy CM Eknath Shinde echoed the sentiment, saying the festival must be celebrated without causing inconvenience to residents. “Ganesh festival is an integral part of our tradition, and we must ensure that it is celebrated in a manner that preserves its essence. Nothing should be done that creates problems for local residents or causes inconvenience to people,” Shinde said.A video of the alleged attack that surfaced online showed Chavan challenging Bapat over his opposition to DJs and sound systems during Ganeshotsav and questioning his authority to speak on behalf of Pune residents. In the clip, Chavan is heard admitting to the assault, saying, “I assaulted him because he was speaking wrong.”Defending his action later, Chavan told reporters that Bapat was selectively targeting Ganeshotsav despite several other civic issues facing the city.Bapat, however, dismissed the attack as an attempt at “cheap publicity” and declared that it would not deter his campaign against noise pollution. “The attacker was like a zombie and there is no point arguing with such people. Police should do their job and take action against him. I know that what I am doing is right, so there is no question of stepping back,” he said.Pune police commissioner Amitesh Kumar confirmed that the accused had been detained and stressed that violence could not be justified under any circumstances. “Everyone has the freedom of speech. Violence is not justified,” Kumar said, adding that stringent action would follow.Kumar said Bapat had been provided round-the-clock police protection until further orders. Regarding a complaint filed against Bapat, Kumar said police were conducting an inquiry.Deputy police commissioner Krushikesh Rawale said Chavan has a criminal record, with at least two cases registered against him in 2014 and 2015. “Following the attack, we conducted a threat assessment and, based on the analysis, provided Bapat with security. One police security officer has been assigned to him, while guards have also been deployed outside his residence,” he said, adding that the security arrangement would be reviewed daily and a decision on its continuation would be taken accordingly.BJP corporator and PMC leader of the house Ganesh Bidkar said state govt had taken serious note of the incident. “BJP will ensure that Bapat is not harmed,” he said.The attack triggered widespread condemnation across party lines. Baramati MP Supriya Sule said ideological disagreements could never justify violence. “Responding to ideological differences with violence is a method that in no way benefits Maharashtra’s cultured and progressive tradition,” she said, stressing that everyone had the right to express an opinion in a democratic system.Union minister Murlidhar Mohol also denounced the assault, saying differences should be resolved through dialogue and debate, not physical attacks. “If we do not agree with someone’s position, it can be addressed through dialogue and by presenting an alternative viewpoint. Physical attack on a person for expressing his or her views is not the right way,” Mohol said.Congress state president Harshwardhan Sapkal, Congress member Prashant Jagtap and NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar joined the criticism. “If the price of ideological differences is beatings and arrests, then the coming times are truly going to be very tough,” Sapkal posted on X.Jagtap described the attack as an assault on Pune citizens who consistently raised concerns over loudspeakers and noise pollution.Following the incident, NCP (SP) workers, activists and citizens supporting Bapat staged a protest outside Vishrambaug police station. Bapat has emerged as a prominent voice in Pune’s ongoing debate over noise pollution during Ganeshotsav. He had earlier objected to the use of DJs and large sound systems at a Pune Municipal Corporation meeting, leading to a heated confrontation with representatives of Ganesh mandals and his eventual escort from the venue amid slogans and protests.Workers of Ganesh mandals condemned the attack on Bapat, saying such an attack was not acceptable.