The Congress and Nationalist Congress parties- the opposition parties in Maharashtra- on Saturday criticised the Bharatiya Janata party government over the Pansare killing. But their attack was mildly-worded to the extent of being polite. For instance, they stopped short of demanding the resignation of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The Congress and Nationalist Congress parties- the opposition parties in Maharashtra- on Saturday criticised the Bharatiya Janata party government over the Pansare killing. But their attack was mildly-worded to the extent of being polite. For instance, they stopped short of demanding the resignation of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Pratab Asbe, senior political journalist said that the opposition parties were quiet because of many reasons. He said, "During Congress-NCP regime, Narendra Dabhokar was murdered and they, too, could not nab the culprit. Their failure has put them on the back foot. Therefore they are reserved in their criticism of the BJP government. Besides, the government is new, and the murder is just six days old. The opposition may be giving time to the government."
This was NCP leader Ajit Pawar's comment: "When Narendra Dabholkar was killed, then the opposition (who are now in power) demanded that home minister RR Patil resign immediately. Now, after the attack on Pansare, who will resign?" He demanded Pansare's murderers be brought to book immediately. Pawar also supported the state-wide bandh called by Communist parties.
Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Manikrao Thakare, too, was anything but scathing in his remarks. He wrote to chief minister Fadnavis asking him to provide security to the progressive thinkers and social activists in the state. "The attack on Pansare is a dark blot on the progressive thinking Maharashtra, as well as a sign that the fanatics are getting more active and killing the secular and rational thinkers. The government should provide security to those who are fighting for the poor and the needy," Thakare said.
He added: "Like-minded people need to come together in the larger interest of society. Otherwise, one by one, progressive and rationalist activists will be systematically killed. In the name of culture and religion, attacks are taking place on peace-loving social activists. By doing this, they (fanatics) want to promote the ways of Mahatma Gandhi's killer Nathuram Godse. If the government cannot curb such mentality, then we will face a serious crisis in future. We all know what happens when the government sides with religious extremists, as in Pakistan. The country gets ruined in the absence of dissenting thought, and we are witnessing this situation in many a country. We do not want to see India go that extreme way."
Thakare demanded that the government take immediate action against organisations of an extremist and fanatic bent. "We need to protect the secular fabric of the country. The government should hand over the investigation of Mr Pansare's murder to the CBI if the local police are unable to nab the culprit," he said in his letter.
Supriya Sule, NCP member of parliament tweeted, "Very Sad news. #GovindPansare sir is no more. Shameful n black day for #Maharashtra. Rest in peace, sir. My condolences to family."
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}