Maharashtra: Rahul Gandhi to meet families of Parbhani violence victims

NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi, the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, will be visiting Parbhani in Maharashtra on Monday, to meet the families of two people who died after violence.

On December 14, police imposed prohibitory orders in Parbhani city and arrested 40 people after the bandh over damage to a replica of the Indian Constitution turned violent.

The bandh was called after an individual allegedly desecrated the replica of Indian Constitution installed near Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's statue near the collectorate in Parbhani on December 10, setting off protests and even stone-pelting in the area. The agitators torched and looted shops in the area, besides resorting to stone-pelting.

The accused in the case was caught by the residents, who handed him over to the police after beating him up.

According to the schedule shared by Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar to news agency PTI, Gandhi will meet the families of Ambedkarites Somnath Suryavanshi, who died in police custody, and Vijay Wakode, who died while participating in the protest.

State BJP chief and revenue minister Chandrashekar Bawankule termed Gandhi's visit as a "drama".

"Instead of doing such drama, focus should be on how the society can be benefited through constructive means. The BJP and the state government are committed to keep the society and all communities united," he told PTI.

While there have been allegations that Suryavanshi was killed in police custody, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said in the state assembly recently that the man had told a magistrate that he was not tortured and the CCTV footage also doesn't show any evidence of brutality.