Koregaon Bhima violence victim’s mother participates in Pune rally

PUNE: Thousands participated in rallies organised across the state in support of

Sambhaji Bhide

, the chief of Shri Shivpratishthan Hindusthan, but the presence of Rahul Fatangale’s mother Janabai Fatanagale at a Pune rally drew special attention. Rahul was the lone victim to have died in stone-pelting during the

Koregaon Bhima

violence earlier this year.

Though Janabai attended the rally for a brief while, she demanded strict action against those involved in the violence that lead to her son’s death. “My son was innocent and was not involved in the violence. He was just returning home from work and was killed. Rahul should get justice and the main culprits should be arrested,” she said, while addressing the crowd at the riverside road near Shaniwarwada in Pune.

Sanjay Jadhar, the Pune district chief of Shri Shivpratishthan Hindusthan — an organization founded by Sambhaji Bhide — said, “The government should subject Prakash Ambedkar to brain mapping tests to find his links with the Naxalites and his role in the pre-planned violence on January 1.”

Bhide’s supporters demanded the withdrawal of cases against him in connection with the Koregaon Bhima violence, pointing out that chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the home minister, had told the

state assembly

that so far the investigation agencies have not found any evidence against Bhide.

The supporters had to drop their plan to take out a rally from Shaniwarwada to the Pune district collector’s office as the police denied permission. They then gathered at the riverside open area and raised slogans in support of Bhide and Milind Ekbote, the Samasta Hindu Aghadi leader who has been arrested in the same case.

Surprisingly, the turnout at Sangli, Bhide’s hometown, was comparitively low. While the organisers had expected more than one lakh supporters, according to officials of Vishrambaug police station, around 7,000 to 8,000 people attended the rally.

Heavy bandobast had been deployed at Sangli since the last two days as posters in support of Bhide had came up at several places. Most youths from nearby areas such as Kavathe Mahankal, Jat and Miraj participated in the rally. Interestingly, teenagers participating in the rally were unaware of the nature of case against Bhide. They just believed that Bhide was innocent and had no role in the Koregaon Bhima violence.

Nitin Chougule, the secretary of Shri Shiv Pratishtan Hindustan, said, “A campaign has been initiated on social media to defame Guruji. I want to tell people posting things against Guruji that they should come forward. We are ready for an open fight.”

Addressing the rally, Chougule said they had kept mum for the last three months. “Now, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has said there is no evidence against Guruji. We will continue our protest till all the charges levelled against him are withdrawn. Prakash Ambedkar, Jignesh Mevani (Gujarat MLA) and

Umar Khalid

(JNU student leader) made provocative speeches which led to the violence,” he said.

A delegation of five members associated with the organisation met district collector Vijaykumar Kalam Patil and handed over a petition of demands.

Relatively low turnout was recorded at the rally in support of Sambhaji Bhide in Kolhapur. Mahesh Ursal of the Shri Shivpratishthan Hindustan said they had carried out a peaceful rally and submitted a memorandum to the district collector seeking withdrawal of cases against Bhide.