Two large agitations are planned this week in Maharashtra, one demanding the arrest of Sambhaji Bhide and one opposing it.
In a big challenge for Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the state is likely to face two large agitations in the last week of budget session, one demanding the arrest of right-wing leader Sambhaji Bhide for his alleged role in Bhima Koregaon violence and one opposing it.
A protest called by RPI Bahujan Mahasangh Leader and former Lok Sabha MP Prakash Ambedkar will tomorrow protest seeking the arrest of Sambhaji Bhide for his alleged involvement in Bhima Koregaon violence.
While the Mumbai Police has denied permission for Ambedkar-led 'Elgar March' it has allowed them to hold a protest at the Azad Maidan.
Dalit groups have alleged that it was Shivpratishthan founder Sambhaji Bhide and Samasta Hindu Aghadi leader Milind Ekbote who fomented the violence at Koregaon Bhima on January 1, 2018. Koregaon Bhima is situated at 30 km from Pune on Pune-Ahmednagar road and Dalits visit a memorial at the village every year to mark the victory of their ancestors over native Peshwa rule.
Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory as it is believed soldiers from the Mahar community, then considered untouchables, were part of the East India Company's forces. The Peshwas were Brahmins, and the victory is seen as a symbol of assertiveness by Dalits. Bhima- Koregaon and adjoining villages witnessed violence between two communities on January 1 when a large number of Dalits were gathered at the historic memorial in the village to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the battle.
While Ekbote has been arrested for his alleged role in the violence, authorities are yet to take any action against Bhide.
Ambedkar condemned the Police's refusal to grant permission to the march, which was to start from Byculla and culminate at Azad Maidan with a public rally.
"Government is hiding behind police and the reason for rejecting permission is worth laughing since the SSC and HSC examinations are over. Many students are also participating in this march," he said.
Ambedkar claimed that barring BJP and right-wing organisations, all other social outfits including Sambhaji Brigade, Lingayat Sewa Sangh, Kunbi Mahasangh, OBC Mahasangh, Dhangar Tiger Front and Bhatke-Vimukta Sanghatana are participating in this March on Monday.
He said that now since police have denied the permission for the march from Byculla, he has conveyed it to all the organisations to reach Azad Maidan and if there is any untoward incident Government would be responsible for the same.
On the other hand, all right-wing organisations have decided to show strength by participating in statewide marches at all the district headquarters in support of Bhide and Ekbote. A veteran BJP leader told DNA on the condition of anonymity that all right-wing organisations would chip in for foot-marches and Sangli would see the biggest march in support of Bhide.
The veteran BJP leader said that these marches have been given the title as 'Bhide Guruji Sanman Mahamorcha'.
On March 28, the march, organised by Bhide's Shivpratishthan, in every district would hand over memorandum seeking withdrawal of FIR against Sambhaji Bhide. Bhide has already made a public statement that he was in Islampur on January 1, 2018.
Sources within the state government said that both these marches would stir the political atmosphere in the state. BJP and RSS have taken a stand that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should clearly mention hands of left-wing extremism in Koregaon Bhima violence.
The right-wing organisations, including the RSS, have become vocal on the issue, especially after the arrest of Milind Ekbote. They are questioning as to what is the use of BJP being in power when those "who fight for the cause of Hindutva" are put behind the bars.
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