In a viral audio clip, MLA Sanjay Gaikwad warned that he would "chop off his tongue" and that Ambi would “meet Pansare," referring to the latter's assassination. (File Photo) 4 min read Apr 30, 2026 01:59 PM IST First published on: Apr 30, 2026 at 01:59 PM IST Written by Nikhil Sanjay-Rekha Adsule The 2015 assassination of rationalist Govind Pansare has found an alarming recall in the recent actions of Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad. His attempts to intimidate a publisher and suppress readers of Pansare’s work, Shivaji Kon Hota? , in Buldhana, illustrate a dangerous move towards a new form of intellectual restriction in Maharashtra. Gaikwad threatened the Kolhapur-based publisher, Prashant Ambi, over the book. He objected to the use of the name “Shivaji” without honorifics such as “Chhatrapati.” In a viral audio clip, Gaikwad warned that he would “chop off his tongue” and that Ambi would “meet Pansare,” referring to the latter’s assassination.…