Right-wing leader Sambhaji Bhide, who is accused of instigating violence against the Dalit community in Pune district, on 5 January, appealed for a thorough inquiry into the matter.
The 85-year-old, who heads the Shiv Pratishthan Hindustan, met the Sangli district collector, accompanied by thousands of his supporters, to demand withdrawal of the charges against him.
A day after the Bhima Koregaon violence on 2 January, the Pimpri Police in Pune district filed a case against Bhide and others under SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act and under various sections of the IPC – including attempt to murder as one person was killed in the clashes.
In a letter to the media, Bhide alleged that his name was being deliberately linked with the violence in Pune district.
It is a ‘banav’ (false) that I was present at the riot site in Pune district and was also responsible for it. Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar has levelled allegations of my involvement in inciting the violence. There should be a thorough investigation into this matter.Sambhaji Bhide to PTI
He said perpetrators of the violence should face strict action. In a statement using his organisation’s letterhead, Bhide said that his work was aimed at awakening nationalism among Hindus.
The Pimpri Police had also booked Pune-based Milind Ekbote of Hindu Ekta Aghadi under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act and under various sections of the IPC, including attempt to murder.
A case was registered against Ekbote, Bhide, and others, under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, Arms Act, 307 (attempt to murder) of IPC and rioting.
The duo were booked after one Anita Savle approached the Pimpri police alleging that she and her friend were attacked by a group of people near Vadhu Budruk village adjacent to Bhima Koregaon on Monday, 1 January. She alleged that the entire attack and arson was orchestrated by Bhide and Ekbote.
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