Page 33 - English Tehelka Issue 1&2

gram on January 1, we talked to the the village. Brahmanical supremacy. Bhide de-
people from the local community and In this case, a case under the SC and nies the allegations, demanding a CBI minds by misusing Hindutva
appealed to them to maintain peace ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was investigation of the entire incident. organizations. They have been
and brotherhood. They took the situ- filed against at least 49 youths in the Kumar Kale, associated with BAM- working on the sole agenda of
ation seriously and assured us that village. According to sources, this mat- CEF, an organisation working for destroying the unity and integrity of
there would be no disturbance, but ter was publicised by spreading misin- exploited and pressed communities, society. There is no conflict between
some unwanted elements spread formation that upper caste Marathas claims that he has strong evidence the Marathas and the Dalits. Even
hatred in the name of Hindutva. were being targeted by misusing the against Bhadra and Ekbote.”We have several Maratha organizations have
Sambhaji Bhide, who has been run- pro-backward caste Act. However, in gathered the evidence which will opposed whatever happened.
ning a Hindu outfit namely Shiv Prat- reality youths from the OBC commu- prove that both of them have a hand This is a crooked move of people
ishthan in Sangli, and Milind Ekbote, nity along with Marathas and other behind whatever violence took place with distorted mindsets who
who has also been running a Hindu communities were also involved in on January 1. Not only that, the attitude believe in Brahminical domination
organization called Samast Hindu the incident and booked accordingly. of the local police was to help them in- and ideologies. Even the ruling BJP,
Aghadi, are behind the planning of Along with Badu village, people from directly. We are going to drag them to ‘Current crisis propagated which is running on the sole agenda
the violence. Bhide, who is known as nearby villages were also provoked in court,” he said. of Hindutva today, and its parent
Guruji, mainly brainwashed the youth this manner, which resulted in stone Prakash Ambedkar asks, “If Jignesh by people who believe in organization RSS, has been helping
of this area. He doctored history to pelting and burning of vehicles of the Mewani has called the BJP and the them indirectly, but certainly one
spread hatred among the youth. A case people who had come to celebrate the Sangh in his Elgar Rally held in Shani- day they will emerge as a major
was registered against him but arrest day as Vijay Divas. warwada, Pune, as modern Peshwas, Brahminical domination’ challenge for them. The BJP and
has not happened. We demand that Even before December 29, there then what is wrong in it?” Sangh Parivar will have to face
they should be sued and punished.”. was a case of tampering with history Ashok Gajjetti explains, “Bhima- though situation for the existence
In fact, an incident that took place Koregaon’s war was between Peshwa Prakash ambedkar, National police had taken precautionary of such elements.
in Budu Buduk village is behind the and the British, but in this battle, President of Bharip Bahujan measures, the situation would have In my views, it is a Hindu
riots in Bhima-Koregoan and the Mahar soldiers while fighting for the Mahasangh and grandson of Dr B R been different. We have received terrorist organization. Pakistan
Maharashtra Bandh which was in The battle British took revenge for the atrocities Ambedkar, who has become the new inputs that the local police had has been struggling with it’s
reaction to the death of a Dalit youth became a symbol committed by the Peshwa on Dalits. face of Dalit politics and has been at already received information that nurtured terrorism in its own
and incidents of violence and sabo- Almost two-and-a-half-thousand the centre of controversy surrounding people coming to Bhima-Koregaon home today. It converted from
tage. In Budu village, five kilometres of pride for Peshwa soldiers were killed by nearly the Bhima-Koregaon clashes, speaks can be targeted on January 1 as unrest in the country and the whole
from Bhima-Koregaon, there is a five hundred Dalit soldiers. During to manmohan singh naula the conspiracy was being hatched neighbouring nation is today facing
tomb of Sambhaji Raje, the eldest son Dalits who were the time of Peshwas, to humiliate the several days ago. There was a rage boycott in the world. The same
of Shivaji. Aurangzeb had arrested humiliated by Dalits as untouchable they were made eDiteD exceRPts fRoM AN iNteRview • and fury on social media against the situation can emerge in India also
Sambhaji and sentenced him to death. to walk with a pot hanging from their program of January 1. The boycott if the situation is not controlled at
On March 11, 1689, Sambhaji’s body upper-caste necks and swabs from the waists.” Allegations have been levelled was distributed. The area where the right time. Sambhaji Bhide, who
was truncated and thrown in this vil- Peshwas To make their victory in the Bhi- against you, that you put the shops, hotels were always open has been running a Hindu outfit
lage. A decree was issued that any per- ma-Koregaon battle memorable, the state in a tensed situation by to us, were closed as pamphlets namely Shiv Pratishthan in Sangli,
son who touches his body will also be British constructed the obelisk. Dr B announcing Maharashtra Bandh were circulated. Even police’s local and Milind Ekbote, who has also
killed. According to historical texts, a in Badu village. It is being propagated R Ambedkar used to visit it and had on January 3 which fuelled intelligence network cannot be so been running a Hindu organization
person named Govind Gopal Mahar, a here that Sambhaji Maharaj’s crema- linked it with Dalit pride. Since then, violence and deteriorated the weak. Police know about possible called Samast Hindu Aghadi, are
backward caste from this village, col- tion was not done by a Mahar but by Dalits have been paying tributes at the situation. precautionary measures if two- behind the planning of the violence.
lected his fragmented body pieces and a villager named Shival Deshmukh, victory memorial. No, it’s false. The Maharashtra and-a-half lakh people are expected
cremated them. Govind Gopal Mahar’s originally from the Shirke caste, and Bhima-Koregaon violence and its Bandh was a collective decision of to come. It is regretted that our CM Fadnavis has ordered a fair
tomb is built at a short distance from other Marathas. There is, however, counter-violence has not only im - all of us. It was a reaction against pain and hardship has remained and impartial inquiry...
king Sambhaji’s. no historical evidence of the claim. pacted Maharashtra but national the cowardly assault on innocent unreported. Even a section of the We have demanded from Chief
On January 1 every year, members Govind Gopal Mahar has been men- politics too. About 4,000 people from people. The bandh defused the media, electronic and print both, Minister Devendra Fadnavis that
of the backward castes gather at the tioned by many historians in their Maharashtra have been arrested in quantum of tension as the situation have been trying to raise fingers at any kind of injustice should not be
Jay-stambha, an obelisk commemorat- research. Historian B C Bendre has connection with the violence and dis- might have worsened, but it was us. Moreover, the police is targeting done against our people and he
ing the battle of Bhima-Koregaon, and written that the work of Govind Gopal ruption during Maharashtra Bandh. As moderated by the bandh. our people in its actions as even has give assurance for the same.
go to Badu village to pay obeisance Mahar was mentioned on the board on a result, the atmosphere is tense. It is Talking about the law and order 15-16 years-old children have been We trust the government… but
at the tombs of Sambhaji Raje and the tomb of Maharaj Sambhaji. But two being seen as a challenge to growing situation, I would remind you that detained by the police. the two people who are mainly
Govind Mahar. Some people had also years ago, the old board was removed supremacy of pro-Hindu political par- when the nuisance and violence responsible for whatever happened
built a shed at Mahar’s tomb. There and a new board was placed, which ties and organizations. Other political was started in Bhima-Koregaon, Who is the culprit in your views? are roaming freely and comfortably.
was also a flax banner giving informa- replaced Govind Gopal Mahar’s name parties do not want to miss the oppor- our people maintained patience. There are some people who Surprisingly, Dalits are being held
tion about him. On December 29, three with the word ‘Shivay Gramastha’. The tunity to take advantage as the general I would question the role of the are taking undue advantage of and security is given to Sambhaji,
days before violence broke out, an allegation is that all this has been done elections are to be held next year. rural police; why did the police the circumstances in the name and Ekbote is walking freely.
attempt was made to desecrate at the behest of Sambhaji Bhide and continue to be a mute spectator of Hindutva. These people are
Mahar’s grave. This led to tension in Milind Ekbote, who want to spread letters@tehelka.com at the time of violence? If the local spreading poison in people’s letters@tehelka.com

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31-32 Manmohan Narula.indd 4 12/01/18 4:07 PM 31 Q&A Ambedkar.indd 2 12/01/18 4:01 PM