Vidyanand Bapat, 37, who has long been campaigning against the use of loudspeakers and DJs during Ganeshotsav, was slapped by a former Ganesh mandal president.

Police escorted Vidyanand Bapat from the spot and are working to identify the attacker, whose motive remains unclear.

Pune activist Vidyanand Bapat assaulted over DJ ban controversy during Ganesh Chaturthi, igniting outrage and police investigation