Oppn questions Maharashtra govt over Bhima Koregaon violence

Opposition parties in Rajya Sabha on Thursday found fault with Maharashtra government over its handling of Bhima Koregaon violence while pointing fingers at Hinduvta outfits for the flare-up. 

While a number of Opposition parties demanded a judicial inquiry by a sitting Supreme Court judge, ruling BJP and its ally Shiv Sena countered the argument saying the Maharashtra government has taken steps and action should be taken against those who made instigating speeches at a function to celebrate Dalits' victory over Peshwas.

 

The Rajya Sabha had witnessed frequent disruptions over the raging violence in Maharashtra on Wednesday but the Zero Hour on Thursday saw parties reaching an agreement to raise the issue on the floor of the House.

 

Congress member Rajani Patil said action should be taken against leaders of Hindutva outfits who triggered the violence against Dalits while Samajwadi Party's Naresh Agarwal claimed that under BJP-rule, Dalits, minorities and backward communities were treated as secondary citizens.

 

NCP's Sharad Pawar, who is also a former Maharashtra Chief Minister, said some communal elements were behind the violence. "For the past 50 years, there were no such incidents... Maharashtra government should have been alert. It was not alert," Pawar said as he appealed for peace.

 

Demanding a judicial inquiry, DMK's Kanimozhi complained that Dalits, women and marginalised are forced to live in fear and government was not taking action. D Raja of CPI strongly condemned the violence and said Dalit assertion should be understood in a proper perspective.

 

"Some people try to paint it by saying it is instigated by extreme Left. Some people are saying it is to break India. I have no hesitation in saying that a particular ideology which is divisive and communal is behind it," Raja said.

 

Countering the Opposition, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said people who don't know the history of Bhima-Koregaon battle is speaking more. "Peshwa was not connected to RSS or any Hindu organisation. Some invisible hand is working to 'divide and rule," he said. 

 

BJP's Amar Sable accused Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mewani and former JNU student Omar Khalid of instigating the violence through their speeches. Minister of State Ramdas Athawale appealed to people to not to see it as a political issue but said Dalits are targeted when either BJP or Congress are in power.