Parbhani Violence: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will visit Parbhani city in Maharashtra’s Marathwada region on Monday to meet the families of two individuals who died following violence earlier this month. The state BJP has criticised his planned visit, calling it a “drama.” The violence in Parbhani erupted on December 10 after a glass-enclosed replica of the Constitution near Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s statue outside the railway station was vandalised.

Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to meet the families of Somnath Suryavanshi, who died in police custody, and Vijay Wakode, who passed away during a protest. According to news agency PTI, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar shared the itinerary, noting that he would personally extend condolences to the affected families.

Allegations have been raised that Suryavanshi was tortured in police custody, but Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently told the state assembly that a magistrate had recorded Suryavanshi’s statement, in which he denied being tortured. Additionally, Fadnavis stated that CCTV footage does not indicate any brutality. 

Parbhani Violence: BJP Chief Chandrashekar Bawankule Dismisses Rahul Gandhi’s Visit As ‘Drama’

Fadnavis has ordered a judicial probe into the Parbhani violence. Speaking to reporters, BJP state chief and Revenue Minister Chandrashekar Bawankule dismissed Gandhi’s visit, saying, “Instead of doing such drama, focus should be on how the society can be benefited through constructive means. The BJP and the state government are committed to keeping the society and all communities united.”

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Parbhani Violence: Sharad Pawar Dials CM Devendra Fadnavis

Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar, president of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction), has also been active on the issue. On Sunday, Pawar had a telephonic conversation with Chief Minister Fadnavis about the Parbhani violence. Pawar had visited the families of both Deshmukh and Suryavanshi on Saturday, urging the chief minister to take note of the serious situation.

Speaking at the Bhimthadi Jatra in Pune on Sunday, Pawar said, “I had a word with the chief minister about the places I visited yesterday. I told him that the situation was serious and asked him to take note of the issue.”

Protests in Parbhani turned violent after the replica of the Constitution was vandalised. Suryavanshi, arrested in connection with the incident, died in judicial custody, leading to allegations of police misconduct. In Beed, sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh of Massajog village was abducted and murdered on December 9.

Fadnavis announced judicial probes into both cases and declared financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of Deshmukh and Suryavanshi.