Congress slams Maharashtra govt over incidents in Parbhani, Beed

Mumbai: The Congress on Thursday slammed the Devendra Fadnavis-headed BJP-led MahaYuti-NDA government for the incidents in Parbhani and Beed saying that the developments attempt to erase the ideologies of Shiv-Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar.

State Congress President Nana Patole told the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, “The death of Somnath Suryawanshi due to police brutality in Parbhani is nothing short of murder. Why hasn’t any action been taken against the responsible officers yet? There is a need to put an end to the politically backed criminal dominance in Maharashtra."

The Parbhani incident is reminiscent of Bhima Koregaon, he said, adding: “The day after the incident, hundreds gathered on the streets, and shops were shut down. Had the police taken appropriate action immediately, subsequent events could have been avoided. Instead, the police conducted a combing operation and brutally beat innocent individuals, worse than animals. Who ordered this baton charge? Was the Parbhani incident government-sponsored? These are pressing questions. Innocent people have been falsely charged.”

Patole said that Somnath Suryawanshi, who was filming the police baton charge, was arrested, brutally assaulted in custody, and killed by the police. However, the government has not taken action against a single officer.

According to him, during the two-and-a-half-year tenure of the BJP-led alliance, there has been an effort to shield criminal activities.

"For instance, in Beed, Valmik Karad, who has serious charges such as Section 302 (murder) against him, was given police protection. Who recommended this protection, and for what reason? A shootout occurred in Parli between Andhale and Geete, resulting in Geete's death. Valmik Karad is allegedly involved in this incident. At the time, PI Mahajan and PSI Patil were deployed in the area," he said.

"Similarly, in Kej, Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh was murdered, and the same officers were posted there. Are transfers within the police department happening under Valmik Karad’s orders? The Beed incident is extremely grave and seems to have political backing, with rumours suggesting a minister’s involvement. Such a minister must be removed from the cabinet,” he added.

“In Beed, under Karad’s influence, 200 false cases were filed within two days. Who really runs the administration—the government or criminals? Despite having a capable Chief Minister, how does such chaos prevail in the state? A gangster holds sway over Beed; who is their ‘master’?,” he asked.