With all the evasions, one assertion made by the Pune (Rural) police stood out: They had found no connection of the Elgar Parishad with the violent incidents of January 1, 2018. Yet, the case against the 'Bhima Koregaon 16', which is based on exactly this alleged connection, continues, and seven of the accused continue to be behind bars under the UAPA, explains Jyoti Punwani.
'This shows how casually these officials approached a dispute simmering for years which finally erupted into violence.'
The foundation of the Bhima Koregaon case was blown to bits by a senior policeman, reports Jyoti Punwani.
The former BJP corporator was named by a villager in a police complaint made three days before the January 1, 2018 violence at Bhima Koregaon. Yet, the police did not include his name in the FIR.
Testimony presented before the Bhima Korgaon Commission over the last two months reveals the background to the violence that broke out on January 1, 2018.
The police were aware of the bandh since the gram panchayats had informed them about it. Yet, they did nothing to prevent it.
Either this affidavit was prepared a long time back, or, Ambedkar has not been following the Commission's hearings.
None of them had anything to do with the violence at Bhima Koregaon, where they were not even present, points out Aakar Patel.
ACP Shivaji Pawar has been asked to file his affidavit by August 15.
Ambedkar told Rediff.com that he intended making an application that private witnesses not be cross-examined by the Bhima Koregaon Commission of Inquiry.
'The Elgar Parishad turned out to be the first rallying cry against the BJP and RSS in Maharashtra.' 'The speakers took a vow not to vote for the BJP.'
Right-wing groups were blamed for the violence.
'We want the Commission to finish its work; the issue it is investigating is too crucial for its work to be left incomplete.'
If the Bhima Koregaon commission is terminated before completing its work, the people affected by the violence 'would feel cheated'.
'The police are busy arresting people from Delhi, but not those we saw burning our home!'
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances