<p>Mumbai: Namdev Shastri, a revered figure in the Vanjari community, has extended his support to the family of slain sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh who met him on Sunday.</p>.<p>The assurance comes days after Shastri claimed state minister Dhananjay Munde was being targeted.</p>.Bail should not be granted to accused in Santosh Deshmukh murder case, says brother.<p>The murder of the Massajog village head last December triggered a political storm in Maharashtra as one of the accused in a related extortion case is a close aide of NCP MLA Dhananjay Munde.</p>.<p>"We will not forgive the accused. We will not shield them. From the seat of Bhagwangad, I give you my word that the accused will have no support here.</p>.<p>"Bhagwangad will stand with Santosh Deshmukh and his family. There is no need for concern," Shastri told Dhananjay Deshmukh, brother of the murdered sarpanch, and other family members.</p>.<p>Bhagwangad, situated on the border of Beed and Ahilyanagar districts, is the religious seat of the Vanjari community Munde belongs to.</p>.<p>Shastri said the Deshmukh family always respected Bhagwan Baba and upheld harmony in their village.</p>.<p>The opposition has demanded Dhananjay Munde's resignation for his links with the extortion case accused Walmik Karad.</p>.<p>Dhananjay Deshmukh told reporters that the murder should not be viewed through the lens of caste.</p>.<p>"Bhagwangad will always stand with our family. We have shown the true background of the accused and the cases against them. My brother was associated with Bhagwangad," he said.</p>.<p>He claimed that the Deshmukh family never engaged in caste-based politics and that his brother lost his life while trying to protect a Dalit man.</p>.<p>"We have no criminal background. Santosh was a sarpanch for 15 years. The accused have multiple cases against them. Their mindset needs to be examined. Those supporting the accused are the ones bringing in caste narratives," Dhananjay claimed.</p>.<p>He said labelling public representatives as casteist will deter them from seeking justice. "Those demanding justice should not be targeted".</p>.<p>Dhananjay Munde recently visited Bhagwangad and met Shastri, who held a press conference claiming Munde was targeted. </p>
<p>Mumbai: Namdev Shastri, a revered figure in the Vanjari community, has extended his support to the family of slain sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh who met him on Sunday.</p>.<p>The assurance comes days after Shastri claimed state minister Dhananjay Munde was being targeted.</p>.Bail should not be granted to accused in Santosh Deshmukh murder case, says brother.<p>The murder of the Massajog village head last December triggered a political storm in Maharashtra as one of the accused in a related extortion case is a close aide of NCP MLA Dhananjay Munde.</p>.<p>"We will not forgive the accused. We will not shield them. From the seat of Bhagwangad, I give you my word that the accused will have no support here.</p>.<p>"Bhagwangad will stand with Santosh Deshmukh and his family. There is no need for concern," Shastri told Dhananjay Deshmukh, brother of the murdered sarpanch, and other family members.</p>.<p>Bhagwangad, situated on the border of Beed and Ahilyanagar districts, is the religious seat of the Vanjari community Munde belongs to.</p>.<p>Shastri said the Deshmukh family always respected Bhagwan Baba and upheld harmony in their village.</p>.<p>The opposition has demanded Dhananjay Munde's resignation for his links with the extortion case accused Walmik Karad.</p>.<p>Dhananjay Deshmukh told reporters that the murder should not be viewed through the lens of caste.</p>.<p>"Bhagwangad will always stand with our family. We have shown the true background of the accused and the cases against them. My brother was associated with Bhagwangad," he said.</p>.<p>He claimed that the Deshmukh family never engaged in caste-based politics and that his brother lost his life while trying to protect a Dalit man.</p>.<p>"We have no criminal background. Santosh was a sarpanch for 15 years. The accused have multiple cases against them. Their mindset needs to be examined. Those supporting the accused are the ones bringing in caste narratives," Dhananjay claimed.</p>.<p>He said labelling public representatives as casteist will deter them from seeking justice. "Those demanding justice should not be targeted".</p>.<p>Dhananjay Munde recently visited Bhagwangad and met Shastri, who held a press conference claiming Munde was targeted. </p>