Maharashtra's Disturbing Deaths: Sharad Pawar Consoles Families of Beed Sarpanch and Parbhani Dalit

Beed/Parbhani (Maharashtra), Dec 21 (NationPress) Maharashtra is currently engulfed in political turmoil following two profoundly disturbing deaths. On Saturday, Sharad Pawar, President of the Nationalist Congress Party (SP), reached out to the families affected – a Sarpanch from Beed and a Dalit man from Parbhani who died while in judicial custody.

Pawar, aged 84, arrived by helicopter to visit the two districts, first heading to Massajog village in Beed, where Sarpanch Santosh Pandit Deshmukh, aged 45, was brutally abducted, tortured, and murdered on December 9 by alleged political adversaries as he attempted to expose a significant extortion scheme linked to the AVG windmill company.

Next, Pawar traveled to Parbhani, where Somnath Vyankat Suryawanshi, a 35-year-old law student from the Dalit community, was reportedly beaten by police following the vandalism of a statue of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar on December 10. He was arrested on December 12 and tragically died while in judicial remand on December 15.

In Beed, after attentively listening to the Sarpanch's grieving family, which included his widow, mother, brother, and daughter, the NCP (SP) chief committed to covering the educational expenses for Deshmukh's daughter, Vaibhavi, and pledged comprehensive support for the family’s future stability.

Members of the Deshmukh family expressed their anguish to Pawar and others, criticizing the Beed Police for their inadequate investigation and demanding the immediate capture of all missing suspects, including the alleged mastermind, Walmiki Karad, who remains at large 13 days after the murder.

Vaibhavi Deshmukh lamented not having the opportunity for a final farewell with her father, who endured a brutal death. She called for severe punishment for his murderers and insisted on justice for her family and the community, urging for a fast-tracked trial.

MP Bajrang M. Sonawane, visibly emotional, noted the palpable climate of fear in the village, questioning, “who will be next?” after such a horrific event.

Numerous locals have demanded the resignation of NCP Minister Dhananjay Munde, who is allegedly associated with the fugitive prime suspect, Walmiki Karad, a former Mayor of Parli Municipal Council.

Moved by the accounts he heard, Pawar insisted that all individuals involved in the murders must be apprehended and held accountable, urging both the central and state governments to take serious action.

“The community is reeling, and these individuals are significant contributors to the sugar industry in this area. The murder of the Sarpanch, who was not involved in the ongoing issues, is unacceptable,” Pawar stated solemnly.

He emphasized that caste should not play a role in this matter, referencing how NCP (SP) General Secretary Jitendra Awhad and Sandeep Kshirsagar raised the issue in the Legislative Assembly.

“You are not alone in your sorrow… we stand with you, and your legal representatives are here to support you. Please do not let fear consume you. I will convey your concerns to the government,” Pawar assured, reflecting on the shockwaves sent through the community following speeches from Sonawane, Awhad, and Kshirsagar in the Assembly.

In Parbhani, Pawar questioned the state government's decision to use force when the protesters were demonstrating peacefully, asserting, “this is unacceptable; justice for Suryawanshi’s death is imperative.” He vowed to present the evidence provided by the family to the Chief Minister and other relevant authorities.

Condemning both fatalities, Pawar remarked that despite the Chief Minister’s announcements of various measures, compensations, and investigations, “nothing can restore the lives lost nor alleviate the sorrow of the bereaved families.”

Following Pawar’s visit, his nephew and NCP President, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, also hurried to Beed and Parbhani, where he confronted irate crowds. Meanwhile, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha from Congress plans to visit Parbhani on Monday afternoon.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: qnajmi@gmail.com)