Sanjay Nirupam gets a call from ‘patriotic’ don

After raising doubts over the surgical strikes in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), Congress (Mumbai) president Sanjay Nirupam on Friday claimed that he had received a “threat call” from gangster Ravi Pujari, who asked him to tender a public apology over his remarks.

Mr Nirupam and his family continued to invite public wrath on social media even as the Congress distanced itself from his remarks. In fact, Mr Nirupam’s wife Geeta wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking him to ensure the safety of her family in the wake of the online trolls as she felt “unsafe”.

Mr Nirupam told reporters that Pujari had called on his residence landline on October 5 around 11.15 am from a foreign number. “I have already filed a police complaint at the Versova police station,” he said.

According to Mr Nirupam, Pujari threatened him of dire consequences if he did not tender a public apology over his remarks on the surgical strikes in PoK. Mr Nirupam’s domestic help had answered the call.

“Will Opposition leaders now be threatened through goondas (criminals and hooligans) I am a leader from the masses. Why am I being threatened ” Mr Nirupam asked.

He added that earlier too such strikes were carried out but it had never been politicised. “Why should evidence not be demanded on the strikes If Pakistan is campaigning against us, evidence should be placed,” he argued.

Targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Mr Nirupam said that the ruling party is indulging in petty politics over the blood of soldiers. “We will definitely ask questions. This has never happened before,” he thundered. Earlier this week, Mr Nirupam had questioned the veracity of the surgical strikes carried out by the Indian armed forces.

Meanwhile, Ms Nirupam told mediapersons that she and her 80-year-old mother in-law were unnecessarily being targeted on social media for her husband’s comments. “My husband expressed his views. We live in a democratic country where freedom of speech is our birth right, but now I feel unsafe in my own country,” she said.

Who is Ravi Pujari Ravi Pujari is a "wanted" gangster who is absconding. He started his criminal career at Andheri, Mumbai till he killed Bala Zalte, a rival. He is a former aide of gangster Chhota Rajan. The duo split 10 years ago.

He moved to Dubai in the late 1990s and extorted from real estate builders. He is involved in several cases related to murder and extortion against him.

Pujari has threatened several high-profile personalities earlier.