Stand Behind Candidates Who Protect Dharma : Appeal by Kalicharan Maharaj

Expresses anger over BJP granting a Municipal Councillor post to a co-accused in the Badlapur sexual assault case

Nashik, Maharashtra – Kalicharan Maharaj stated that people should stand firmly behind candidates who protect Dharma. He emphasized that division of Hindu votes should be avoided and that the “Hinduisation” of politics is necessary for the protection of Hindus. He made these remarks while campaigning for the Shiv Sena in Nashik.

He was responding to the controversy surrounding the BJP’s decision to appoint Tushar Apte, the secretary of the school involved in the Badlapur sexual assault case of minor children, as a nominated councillor in the Kulgaon–Badlapur Municipal Council. (A nominated councillor is a member who is not elected directly by public vote but is appointed by elected members of the municipal corporation or council.)

Following strong backlash across the state, Tushar Apte has now resigned from the councillor post. When asked about BJP granting him this position, Kalicharan Maharaj expressed intense anger.

Badlapur Rape Case

Last year, an incident involving sexual assault of two minor girls at a school in Badlapur came to light. The incident triggered widespread outrage across the state. Local citizens staged intense protests by blocking roads and railway tracks.

In this case, a crime was registered against Tushar Apte along with Akshay Shinde, a school sanitation worker who was later killed in an encounter.

Who is Tushar Apte ?

At the time of the rape of the minor girls, Tushar Apte was serving as the secretary of the school management. After the crime was registered, he absconded for 44 days. Once arrested, he was granted bail within just 48 hours.

The case is currently sub judice (under trial) and Tushar Apte is out on bail.