Maha Minister Jitendra Awhad dubs Bhima Koregaon- Elgar Parishad cases as BJP's conspiracy

Maharashtra Housing Minister Jitendra Awhad on Friday reiterated his allegation that Bhima Koregaon violence was a “conspiracy” to create a fight within Dalit community. Moreover, he cast aspersions over arrest of activists in Elgar Parishad case terming it as BJP’s attempt to malign largest cause of Dalit activism. Alleging that Maharashtra government had tapped phones of some of accused, he questioned  Fadnavis regime over us of Pegasus software.  

Jitendra Awhad remarked, “I was first person to make allegation that Bhima Koregaon (violence) is a conspiracy to create fights between Dalits. I said it back n that ‘Urban Naxal’ is a BJP nda to malign Dalit activists, sympathisers and to finish off  Ambedkarite movement. I am happy that a probe is commencing. re are only two witnesses. Moreover, phones of some of se individuals have been tapped. We are t saying this, Facebook informed m that ir phone is being tapped. Did Maharashtra government have right to buy Pegasis software?” 

Read: Sharad Pawar Demands SIT Probe Into Police Action Against Activists In Elgar Parishad Case

Read: Pune Cops Unhappy With New Maha Govt's Line-of-question In Bhima Koregaon Probe: Sources

Bhima Koregaon violence

Awhad’s statement comes a day after Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh reviewed Bhima Koregaon and Elgar Parishad cases. Earlier, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar had also demanded a fresh probe into matter. According to Deshmukh, an SIT could be set up if Pune police were unable to substantiate ir charges against arrested activists.  

Read: CPI(M) Welcomes Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Govt's Decision To Withdraw Bhima Koregaon Cases

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.   

Read: Uddhav Thackeray Assures NCP Leaders Of Dropping Bhima Koregaon Violence Case