"The sentiments of Maratha community were hurt by my cartoon. But, there was never an intention to hurt anybody. Yet, I express regret if sentiments were hurt unintentionally," cartoonist Shrinivas Prabhudesai said in a statement carried on the front page of Saamana.
"The controversy over the cartoon was unnecessary. I am an artist and not a political cartoonist. In a busy life, my intention is to put a smile on people's face and thus I make cartoons," he stated.
The cartoon has come at a time when the Maratha community has been organising rallies all around the state to express outrage over the rape and murder of a girl from the community at Kopardi and press their various demands including quota in education and job.
The rallies have evoked huge response, compelling all political parties to take note the grievances of the community, a dominent force in the state.
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"There are various IPC sections which deal with such cases. The chief minister should give a free hand to the police to book Sanjay Raut and pacify the Marathas," he said.
The office of Saamana in Navi Mumbai was stoned yesterday, allegedly over the cartoon, which alluded to the "silent marches" being taken out by Maratha community.
A pro-Maratha outfit, 'Sambhaji Brigade', immediately claimed the responsibility for the attack.
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Meanwhile, Congress general secretary Sachin Sawant said Saamana is the mouthpiece of the Shiv Sena and the party has to apologise and not just the cartoonist.
"Not owning up mistake is not a wise thing. Such a cartoon could get published because of the anti-Maratha and anti-women mindset of the party," he charged.
Sawant said Shiv Sena cannot wash its hands off the controversy by getting only the cartoonist apologise.