Bhima Koregaon violence case: Special inquiry commission summons Sharad Pawar for questioning, NCP chief raised questions on Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide for violence

In a press conference, Pawar alleged that right-wing activists Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide had created a different atmosphere before the violence.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s statement will be recorded in connection with the violence that took place in Pune’s Bhima-Koregaon area on January 1, 2018. The commission that probed the violence has sent summons asking him to appear before him in Mumbai on August 2.

Besides Sharad Pawar, the Commission of Inquiry has also issued summons to the then Pune Rural SP Suvez Haque, the then SP Sandeep Pakhale, the then Pune Commissioner Ravindra Sengaonkar and the then Collector Saurabh Rao.

That’s why Sharad Pawar’s statement will be recorded
In February this year, Sagar Shinde, a member of social group ‘Vivek Vichar Manch’, filed an application before the commission, seeking to summon Pawar in view of certain statements made by him in the media about the 2018 caste violence Went. In his petition, Shinde had referred to Pawar’s press conference on February 18.

According to the application, at a press conference, Pawar alleged that right-wing activists Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide had created a “different” atmosphere in the outskirts of Pune city and its adjoining Koregaon-Bhima. Social group member Sagar Shind had said, “In the same press conference, Pawar also alleged that the role of the Pune city police commissioner is suspicious and should be probed.” These statements are within the scope of the Terms of Reference of this Commission and, therefore, they are relevant.’

What is Bhima Koregaon violence case?
Every year on January 1st, people belonging to the Dalit community gather in large numbers at Bhima Koregaon to pay homage to the Dalits who lost their lives fighting against the Peshwa’s army in 1818. On 1 January 2018, violence broke out in Bhima Koregaon, Pune, when British troops were celebrating the victory over Peshwa Bajirao, in which one person died and 80 vehicles were also torched during that time. We had to use tear gas and lathi charge to control the situation. Government property worth several crores was also damaged in this violence.