Bhima Koregaon case: Sena lambasts Centre's interference, alleges plan to stifle truth

Shiv Sena on Wednesday lambasted Centre for its interference in affairs of Maharashtra after transfer of Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad cases to NIA. Writing in editorial section of Sena mouthpiece Saamana, party MP Sanjay Raut alleged that rationale behind Modi government’s move was to stifle truth and protect certain individuals.

Terming it as an assault on rights and self-respect of states, he questioned Centre on lack of similar action in BJP ruled states. Taunting BJP for its 80-hours government, Raut issued a reminder that Centre’s previous attempt to ensure that Shiv Sena does t gets it Chief Minister had been a failure.  

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Sanjay Raut wrote, “ Centre forcefully transferred Elgar Parishad probe to NIA because it wanted to stifle truth and wanted to save someone. This is an assault on rights and self-respect of states. India is a quasi-federal country. Many such incidents are taking place in BJP-ruled states. Why does Centre t interfere re? Union Home Ministry burned midnight oil to ensure that state does t get a Chief Minister from Shiv Sena. y misused Raj Bhavan, but thing happened.” 

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' picture has changed completely'

editorial also ted fact that BJP was losing its hold in many states across country. Maintaining that Centre had tried to murder democracy, he asserted that citizens had foiled this design. Furrmore, Shiv Sena MP warned against misuse of investigative ncies to put pressure on states.  

Saamana editorial stated, “In many states of country, re is a BJP government. y wanted to win all states. start was good, but w picture has changed completely. Despite murderous attempt on democracy, people in state after state have democratically ousted ir governments. While BJP is in government at Centre, y are longer in power in important states such as Maharashtra. We understand ir pain, but Centre’s tactic of putting pressure on states using investigative ncies is wrong.” 

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Bhima Koregaon violence and subsequent arrests

Violence had erupted at Koregaon-Bhima vill in Pune district on January 1, 2018, where supporters had gared to commemorate 200th anniversary of Battle of Bhima Koregaon. This resulted in death of one person and leaving several injured. Subsequently,  Pune police arrested activists such as Sudha Bharadwaj, Arun Ferreira, and Vern Gonsalves, Surendra Gadling, Sudhir Dhawale and P Varavara Rao for allegedly inciting Bhima Koregoan violence through ir speech at Elgar Parishad meeting on December 31, 2017.    

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