Parbhani, Maharashtra – The desecration of a replica of the Constitution of India outside Parbhani railway station triggered violent unrest in the city. Amidst the chaos, 35-year-old law student and activist Somnath Suryawanshi was arrested. Days later, he was found dead in judicial custody at the Parbhani District Jail, igniting a storm of outrage and demands for justice.
Brutal Custodial Torture Exposed
Suryawanshi, a passionate activist who actively participated in protests, was detained on ecember 10th. The post-mortem report unearthed grim details—his death resulted from severe trauma inflicted by repeated brutal assaults while in custody. His mother, Vijayabai Suryawanshi, refused to accept official claims declared by chief Minister devendra Fadnavis, and told to media that her son was ruthlessly beaten to death.
She raise many questions in connection with the custodial death of her son. NCP leader Jitendra Awhad during the Maharashtra Assembly’s winter session raised some questions in Assembly thye are: “How did my son die? His body was covered in wounds, and a broken bone caused a fatal concussion. Who is responsible for this? Are they tampering with the post-mortem report to protect the criminals?”
Rejecting Compensation, Demanding Justice
Responding to the mounting public outrage, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh for Suryawanshi’s family. However, his mother fiercely rejected the offer.
“I do not accept the Chief Minister’s words. My son was murdered. I don’t want their money. Let them keep it in their pockets or feed the policemen who killed him. I want justice, not compensation,” she declared.
However the groups for justice to Somnath Suryavamshi demanded 50 lakh compensation and job for any one of the family member is welcomed by the ambedkerites and other similar groups.
Sharad Pawar Steps In
With tensions escalating, NCP founder Sharad Pawar visited Parbhani to console Suryawanshi’s grieving mother. She firmly denied media reports alleging her son had pre-existing health conditions. “He was a scholar, a bookworm. His only wealth was his books. Somnath wanted to contribute even a fraction of what Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar did for society,” she asserted.
Condemning the incident, Pawar assured he would push for justice. “Torturing an innocent man to death is a grave crime. I am here to understand the situation firsthand, and action must be taken against those responsible,” he declared.
Savage Beatings and Custodial Murder
Suryawanshi suffered relentless torture for three to four days before succumbing to his injuries. His post-mortem on December 16 exposed chilling evidence of continuous assaults, further fueling demands for accountability.
Desecration of the Constitution Sparks Unrest
Public anger erupted when an unidentified person destroyed a copy of the Constitution in front of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s statue. Outraged, Ambedkarite followers announced a bandh, demanding justice. However, the protests descended into chaos, leading to mass arrests and prolonged detentions of demonstrators for over two days.
State-Sponsored Terror: Police Unleash Brutality
Eyewitnesses and activists described a ruthless crackdown. Ambedkarite activist Rahul Pradhan recounted, “The police unleashed violence, raiding Buddhist Vihars and Ambedkarite neighborhoods. They smashed doors, stormed homes, and mercilessly assaulted innocent residents with no links to the protests.”
Silencing the Truth
Valsala Bhai, a fearless bystander, attempted to capture the police brutality on her mobile phone. In retaliation, officers targeted her and beat her mercilessly, ensuring her footage never surfaced.
A State on the Brink
Reports of police excesses and custodial murders have sparked mass outrage, with activists, legal experts, and human rights organizations demanding accountability. As the call for justice grows louder, the critical question remains—will those responsible be punished, or will this case fade into obscurity like countless others?
Maharashtra stands at a crossroads. The fight for justice will not only determine the fate of this case but also set a precedent for police accountability and civil liberties in the state.
(Bindu.A, Advocate, Writer & Dalit Feminist)
*दलित टाइम्स उन करोड़ो लोगो की आवाज़ है जिन्हें हाशिए पर रखा गया है। *
महिला, दलित और आदिवासियों के मुद्दों पर केंद्रित पत्रकारिता करने और मुख्यधारा की मीडिया में इनका प्रतिनिधित्व करने के लिए हमें आर्थिक सहयोग करें।
