Koregaon Bhima violence a matter of ‘larger conspiracy’: State tells Inquiry Commission

The Commission has recorded evidence of over 50 witnesses, who include villagers from Koregaon Bhima, Vadhu Budruk, senior politicians like Sharad Pawar, Prakash Ambedkar, government and police officials and other persons. The Commission has asked lawyers representing different parties and witnesses to submit their final arguments. Some parties have blamed Hindutva leaders Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide for Koregaon Bhima violence on January 1, 2018, while other parties have placed the blame on organisers of Elgaar Parishad, the conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of battle of Koregaon Bhima. Police have alleged that Elgaar Parishad was allegedly held as per a CPI-Maoist strategy.

VV Palnitkar, the Commission’s secretary said that during hearings conducted in Pune from October 22 to 24, the state has submitted its final arguments orally through special public prosecutor Hiray. The written arguments will be submitted in the next hearings, Palnitkar said.

Advocate Hiray said that in his arguments he told the commission about the alleged role of Elgaar Parishad in mobilising and provoking people. Hiray submitted details of the case registered by the state anti-terrorism squad (ATS) in January 2018, in which persons allegedly linked to the banned CPI-Maoist were arrested and material related to Elgaar Parishad was seized from their possession. Hiray pointed out that an accused in this case was found to be a member of the Bhima Koregaon Shauryadin Prerna Abhiyaan — a committee that had organised Elgaar Parishad.

Hiray also made submissions in connection with the dispute at the Vadhu Budruk village (4 km from Koregaon Bhima), known for the samadhi of legendary king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.

The village also has a disputed tomb-like structure, which the Dalit Mahar community claims is the samadhi of Govind Gopal Dhegoji Meghoji, a 17th century figure. Marathas from Vadhu Budruk village believe it was their ancestors, the Shivale Deshmukhs, who had defied Aurangzeb’s orders and performed the last rites of Sambhaji Maharaj after he was killed by the Mughal emperor in 1689. The Dalit Mahar community, however, claims that Govind Gopal performed the last rites of the king.

Hiray said he pointed out the alleged role of a member of Bhima Koregaon Shauryadin Prerna Abhiyaan in putting up the board with disputed history at Vadhu Budruk (on the intervening night of December 28 and 29, 2017), which caused the “discord”.

Hiral also submitted details of action taken by police against Hindutva leader Milind Ekbote, who was arrested in cases related to Koregaon Bhima violence on March 14, 2018, after his anticipatory bail was rejected by Supreme Court. Police did not spare anyone, said Hiray.

As per police records, Ekbote had held a press conference in Koregaon Bhima area on December 30, 2017, when he issued a note opposing the event to mark the Koregaon Bhima battle anniversary, claiming it was divisive and against the thoughts of Dr BR Ambedkar. It was alleged that the ‘pamphlet (note)’ given by Ekbote was part of a conspiracy to cause violence on January 1. A special court in Pune had granted bail to Ekbote in April 2018 saying the act done by the accused was “in consonance of freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under the Indian Constitution.”

Meanwhile, on Thursday, referring to affidavits and depositions mainly of police officers who were injured while tackling the Koregaon Bhima riot, Hiray submitted to the commission that essential steps were taken by the police for controlling the January 1 violence.

Hiray also made submissions about the victim Rahul Phatangade, who was wearing a jacket with an image of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj when he was killed by a mob during the January 1 violence.