Beed sarpanch murder: Leaders from Opposition, BJP seek ouster of Dhananjay Munde from Maharashtra Cabinet

At the rally, Beed MP Bajrang Sonawane, NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad, BJP MLA Suresh Dhas, NCP (SP) MLA Sandeep Kshirsagar, Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, and Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil all spoke. They called for the removal of Munde from the Cabinet, holding him responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation in the district. They alleged that he had contributed to turning “Beed into Bihar”. They also demanded the immediate arrest of Karad, claiming he was behind the brutal murder of the local sarpanch known for his social work in the village.

Addressing the gathering, Sambhajiraje said, ”The huge crowd that has turned up here have come on their own. They have not been forcibly brought here. They have come here to protect humanity.”

Sambhajiraje added, ”In the last 20 years, Beed has been in the grip of criminals who are calling the shots blatantly… I was shocked to learn that the district administration has issued 1,200 to 1,300 gun licences. Even the minister brazenly brandishes a gun in public. Actually, we royals have the right to brandish a gun but we have never done that. We have never even brandished the gun.”

Sambhajiraje said, ”I had told the government not to include Dhananjay Munde in the Cabinet, yet he was included.He should be ousted from the Cabinet. If the family of Santosh Deshmukh does not get justice, then the ideology of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar will have no meaning in Maharashtra. I will reveal what responsibility I have taken. I have told the Deshmukh family. I will keep my word given to the family.”

BJP MLA Suresh Dhas said, ”Santosh Deshmukh was the sarpanch for three terms. He was murdered in the most inhuman manner.” Dhas alleged that Dhananjay Munde was elected on bogus voting. ”Dhanu bhau, you got elected through bogus voting. Your people captured booths. Those who issued gun licences should face action,” he said.

Dhas alleged that the district guardian ministership of Beed was rented out to Valmik Karad. ”Out of Rs 40 lakh, Rs 9 lakh used to go to Valmik Karad and only then a file used to get approved. This is the tragedy of the Beed district. Karad had grabbed a key piece of land in Beed. He has even taken over the land of Banjara community,” Dhas alleged.

Santosh Deshmukh’s daughter Vaibhavi Deshmukh said, ”My father should get justice. He was doing social work. He had not committed any crime. He always used to do social work. He rushed forth to help a Dalit community when he was killed. Till his last breath, he was working for the people. I hope no one meets such a fate. We should all fight together against such tendencies.”

NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad was scathing in his attack on the mention of caste by various leaders. ”Everyone was mentioning caste in their speeches. We should break the wall of castes. Santosh Deshmukh did not die for his caste. Santosh Deshmukh went to help a Dalit security guard when he was killed. Beed district is known for its progressive mindset. Even socialist leaders have been elected from the district in the past. Leaders from different castes have represented Beed,” he said.