Bhima-Koregaon Violence: Prakash Ambedkar Gives 8 Days to Fadnavis Government to Arrest Sambhaji Bhide

Mumbai: The year 2018 commenced with a violent agitation of Dalits across Maharashtra and, the law and order was put at stake for a day long protest. The Dalits were protesting against the violence on Dalit on the 200th celebration of Bhima-Koregaon battle held at the start of the year. The protest was so violent that numerous public properties were left destructed. The law and order for a day long was brought to a standstill as numerous video clips from across the state feared people to step out of their houses.

Coming back to today’s scenario, the grandson of Dr. B R Ambedkar, Prakash Ambedkar has gathered thousands of Dalits from across the state to Mumbai’s Azad Maidan to demand Sambhaji Bhide’s arrest. Prakash Ambedkar, Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh Leader, along with 8 other delegates met CM Devendra Fadnavis on Monday. CM Fadnavis assured for action against the culprits of Bhima-Koregaon violence.

Prakash Ambedkar alleged that it was Sambhaji Bhide who instigated the Bhima-Koregaon violence and that he hasn’t been arrested yet. He called the arrested Milind Ekbote as next to ‘important person’ to be arrested in the case. “We have been assured that actions will be taken within eight days and therefore, the government is trying to reach Sambhaji Bhide,” said Prakash Ambedkar after meeting Fadnavis. The protest threw the traffic along Byculla in South Mumbai, Mahapalika Marg, DN Road, Ambedkar Road, Mahapalika Marg at bay as the protesters started congregating at Azad Maidan. Earlier, the protesters planned of carrying out a Protest March from Byculla to Azad Maidan but was denied permission by Mumbai police citing students’ board exams scheduled on Monday as the reason. The protesters were then called at Azad Maidan directly.

Prakash has warned Fadnavis government of much larger protest in the state if the ‘Guruji’, Sambhaji Bhide, of Shiv Pratisthan is not arrested within 8 days. “I am not satisfied with the response given to us. Fadnavis has said action will be initiated in eight days. We will give them the time they have sought. If nothing is done, I will expose all those who are not taking any action. Then the government shouldn’t say I am launching a personal attack on anyone,” said Prakash Ambedkar, TOI reported.

There is no official statement which has come from CMO on the issue, however, it seems to be a stalemate situation for Devendra Fadnavis government.