Rahul Gandhi Claims Dalit Man Was 'Killed by Police' in Parbhani, Accuses CM of Deception

Mumbai, Dec 23 (NationPress) In a stunning political revelation, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, alleged that a Dalit individual was 'murdered by the police' and claimed that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had 'lied' in the legislative assembly concerning the matter.

Accompanied by senior party leaders, Rahul Gandhi visited the residence of Somnath Vyankat Suryawanshi, 35, who was discovered deceased in judicial custody on December 15, just 72 hours after his arrest related to the violence that followed the desecration of a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

After paying his respects to the family, a solemn Rahul Gandhi stated that the grieving Suryawanshi had shown him the post-mortem report and footage of the events, providing an account of what transpired thereafter.

“It's 100 percent a murder. The police have beaten him... The police have murdered him in custody. He was killed because he was a Dalit and was striving to uphold the Constitution. He was brutally beaten to death,” Rahul Gandhi declared emphatically.

He also directed his accusations towards Fadnavis, asserting that the 'CM has lied in the Assembly', seemingly to send a 'message to the police'.

“It is the RSS ideology to undermine the Constitution. The (MahaYuti) government and its ideology bear responsibility for Suryawanshi’s death. The CM and those who assaulted him are accountable for this,” Rahul Gandhi insisted.

When questioned by the media about whether he was politicizing the issue through his visit and statements, the Lok Sabha LOP denied the allegation, even as leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party criticized his comments.

“There’s no politics involved here. This is a matter of justice. A murder has occurred. It’s a question of ideology. We demand immediate action in this case. We want these issues to be addressed, and the perpetrators must be punished,” Rahul Gandhi asserted.

Maharashtra Congress President Nana F. Patole echoed this sentiment, announcing that the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) would soon file a breach of privilege motion against the CM for misleading the House regarding Suryawanshi’s death. “The CM previously stated that he (Suryawanshi) was suffering from breathing issues leading to his demise. Earlier, police suggested he had experienced chest pains. The autopsy report (dated December 16) indicated 'shock following multiple injuries' as the cause of death,” Patole highlighted.

In response, an undeterred Fadnavis dismissed Rahul Gandhi’s comments as 'political' and reiterated that the MahaYuti government has already launched two investigations into the incident, promising that justice would be served with severe penalties for the offenders.

Earlier in the day, wearing a dark blue t-shirt—a color symbolizing Dalit identity—Rahul Gandhi entered Suryawanshi's home barefoot, bowed before a portrait of Somnath, a law student, and greeted the family with a 'Namaste'.

He sat on the floor alongside the grieving family members from the Wadar community, who recounted the events leading to Somnath Suryawanshi’s death in judicial custody and presented him with relevant documents.

Rahul Gandhi listened attentively, nodding in agreement multiple times, offering condolences, and pledging to advocate for justice for the deceased.

Afterward, he proceeded to the home of another Dalit activist, Vijay Wakode, who passed away from a heart attack while trying to control violent mobs on December 11-12.

Rahul Gandhi was joined by prominent leaders such as AICC’s Ramesh Chennithala, state President Nana Patole, MPs Dr. Shivaji Kalge, Ravindra V. Chavan, Dr. Kalyan Kale, MLAs Vijay Wadettiwar, Amit Deshmukh, senior leaders Vijay Balasaheb Thorat, President of State SC Department Siddharth Hattiambire, Nana Gawande, Atul Londhe, and others.

Suryawanshi was arrested in connection with the violent incidents that erupted following the desecration of a statue of Dr. Ambedkar near Parbhani Railway Station on December 10, allegedly by a 'mentally disturbed' individual named Sopan Pawar.

Following the sacrilege, a tense shutdown occurred in Parbhani, with local police detaining/arresting approximately 300 individuals, predominantly Dalits, including Suryawanshi on December 12.

Merely 72 hours later, Suryawanshi was found dead in judicial custody, sparking widespread outrage with the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and INDIA bloc allies raising the issue at various forums.

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