The attack on Mohan Singh Rajpal happened after a row erupted over the possible removal of a statue of Dadoji Konddeo, who is the tutor of Marathi warrior Shivaji, from a city location.

According to a police source, the youths most probably attacked Rajpal in anger over his decision, even though the mayor later announced the appointment of an expert committee to make a final decision on the matter.

A Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) official said the incident took place at 7 p.m. near a parking area reserved for the mayor.

Ten youths waiting there approached Rajpal, claiming they wanted to submit a memorandum to him. Suddenly they threw a plastic bag filed with black paint at him, which missed Rajpal by a whisker. The mayor immediately got in his car and drove away.

The youths then left the civic headquarters, shouting slogans and distributing leaflets with the PPS name on them, criticizing the mayor for ordering the removal of the statue.

Municipal Commissioner Mahesh Zagade said he would lodge a police complaint. He added that the authority was trying to identify the culprits by checking CCTV footage.

An inquiry will also be conducted into why security personnel were apparently absent in the area where the mayor was assaulted.

The Pune branch of the PPS condemned the attack and denied that its members were involved.

The president of the Pune City Congress Committee, Abhay Chhajed, also described the incident as a shameful act, calling on authorities to take action against those responsible.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena councilors condemned the attack and called for an immediate arrest of the culprits.