Prakash Ambedkar Calls for Compensation and Investigation Following Parbhani Custodial Death
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Mumbai, Dec 28 (NationPress) Taking a firm position, the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to initiate a survey of individuals affected by police violence following the recent demise of a Dalit man in judicial custody, here on Saturday.
VBA President Prakash Ambedkar met with Fadnavis and presented a memorandum outlining demands related to the 'tragic death' of the Dalit law student, Somnath Vyankat Suryawandi, aged 35, on December 15, along with other pressing matters.
Ambedkar claimed that the Chief Minister has consented to conduct a survey and compile a list of those victimized by police misconduct in Parbhani, ensuring that they receive appropriate compensation.
The VBA leader has called on the CM to file a First Information Report (FIR) against the police officers who supposedly assaulted Suryawanshi and other innocent individuals during the investigation of the Parbhani events, which involved a 'lathi-charge' executed without superior approval, and to provide compensation for Dalits whose homes were demolished, alongside a probe led by a retired district or high court judge.
Furthermore, the VBA chief has requested the government to increase the compensation for Suryawanshi’s family from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore and ensure that a member of his immediate family is granted a government job.
With the seventh anniversary of the notorious Koregaon-Bhima caste riots approaching on January 1, 2018, the VBA chief urged the CM to instruct the police to monitor any misinformation targeting the Dalits and prevent any form of violence on New Year's Day.
The Chief Minister also agreed to VBA’s request to carry out a survey and to cancel the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme for tribal students, reverting to the previous system, as per Ambedkar’s statement.
It is important to note that Suryawanshi was arrested on December 12 after the vandalism of a statue of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar near the Parbhani Railway Station on December 10, which led to significant violence on December 11.
However, just 72 hours later, on December 15, Suryawanshi was discovered deceased in judicial custody, triggering a political uproar that remains in full swing.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, along with other prominent leaders from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), visited Suryawanshi’s family.
After expressing condolences to the family on December 23, Rahul Gandhi launched a direct and unprecedented attack on the MahaYuti government, asserting that Suryawanshi was 'murdered' due to his Dalit identity and his efforts to uphold the Constitution, while accusing the CM of having 'deceived' the legislature.
Other opposition leaders who visited the Suryawanshi family included Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar, along with representatives from Shiv Sena (UBT), VBA, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, and more.
