Bhima Koregaon violence: Fadnavis gives Bhide a clean chit. Ambedkar cries foul

Maharashtra Chief Minister Davendra Fadnavis has given a clean chit to Sambhaji Bhide, who was alleged to be the mastermind behind the violence against Dalits at Bhima Koregaon in January this year.

Fadnavis told the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly that there was no evidence to prove that Bhide was involved in carrying out or instigating the violence.

He said that the investigating agencies checked location of Bhide and other important leaders of his organisation for the last six months and found nothing objectionable. It was also found that Bhide was not even in contact with the people involved in the violence against Daltis, he added.

Replying to the debate on the issue in the House, Fadnavis informed that the complaint was lodged by a woman who, deposed before Judicial Magistrate that the complaint was based on hearsay and she did not have direct evidence to allege Bhide’s involvement in the violence.

“Since there is no direct evidence against Bhide, there is no question of acting against him,” Fadnavis told the House. He also clarified that the investigations are still going on. He said that the fresh evidence that has been provided by Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar is now being investigated.

When contacted, Ambedkar said, “CM Fadnavis is misleading the House. I have given clinching evidence against Sambhaji Bhide. His supporters, in a Facebook post on 1 January, had said that Guardian Minister for Pune district Girish Bapat and CM Fadnavis should be killed since they (followers of Bhide) could not reach the desired number. This is clear evidence of the violence propagated by Bhide and his followers. It also proves that Bhide and his organisation was behind the violence at Bhima Koregaon.”

Ambedkar also alleged that the government is eager to give clean chit to Bhide because of his proximity to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Fadnavis.

“When Fadnavis informed the House that there was no evidence against Bhide, the Opposition should have confronted him. The so-called fresh evidence given by me that Fadnavis is talking about, was actually given in January, immediately after the violence,” Ambedkar said, adding, “I hope the Opposition corners CM Fadnavis in the House.”