2018 Bhima Koregaon violence explained

2018 Dalit protests in Maharashtra
Bhima Koregaon protests
Date:1 January 2018
Place:Maharashtra, India
Methods:Protesting, rock throwing, arson, mobbing
Injuries:35
Fatalities:2
Arrests:300
Map Type:India Maharashtra

The 2018 Bhima Koregaon violence refers to violence during an annual celebratory gathering on 1 January 2018 at Bhima Koregaon to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon.[1] The violence and stone pelting by a crowd at the gathering resulted in the death of a 28-year old youth and injuries to five others.[2] The annual celebration, also called Elgar Parishad convention, was organised by retired justices B. G. Kolse Patil[3] and P. B. Sawant.[4] Justice Sawant stated that the term "Elgar" meant loud invitation or loud declaration.

Historical background

Battle of Bhima Koregaon

The 1818 Battle of Koregaon is of importance for Dalits. On 1 January 1818, 800 troops of the East India Company's Bombay Presidency Army which 500 number of Mahars predominant among them, defeated a numerically superior (28,000) force of the Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao II. A victory pillar (Vijay Sthamb) was erected in Koregaon by the British, commemorating the dead soldiers. In 1928, B. R. Ambedkar led the first commemoration ceremony here. Since then, on 1 January every year, Ambedkarites gather at Bhima Koregaon to celebrate their victory against the upper caste regime of the Maratha Empire, whom they see as their oppressors.[5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]

Vadhu Budruk trigger

According to the facts, Emperor Aurangzeb killed and mutilated Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in 1689. It is claimed that Govind Mahar, from Vadhu Budruk (a village near Bhima Koregaon) collected the body parts and organised the last rites. The memorial for Sambhaji Maharaj is claimed to have been constructed by the Dalit Mahars of that village. Soon after, Govind Mahar’s tomb was constructed in the village after his death. But Marathas refused to accept the role played by Govind Mahar and other Mahars in the last rites of Sambhaji Maharaj as Marathas of that village do have surname as Shivle (means Stitched), and were increasingly vocal about in the days prior to the January violence at Bhima Koregaon in 2018. They had specific objection to a sign at the site that acknowledged the contributions of the Mahars.[1] [11]

January 2018 events

Prior to the commemoration, about 250 groups of Dalit organizations got together under the banner of "Elgar Parishad" and organised a conference at Shaniwar Wada in Pune, the erstwhile seat of the Peshwas. The speakers included two retired judges, B.G Kolte-Patil and P. B. Sawant, and Jignesh Mevani, a newly elected member of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly.

The equating of Hindutva with the Peshwas is said to have irked the Hindu groups.[5]

On 1 January, like every year, Dalit organizations poured into Bhima Koregaon. Tensions had begun to build in a neighbouring village over the question of which community had conducted the last rites of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj – the Mahar or the Maratha. The panchayat of Bhima Koregaon issued a notice asking residents to boycott the event by calling for all shops to remain shut that day.[12]

On 1 January, a mob from Vadhu Badruk area attacked the dalits who were going to attend the annual meeting around the Vijay Stambh. This was after orders were given at Sanaswadi Panchayats for complete strike and celebrate 1 January 2018 as black day. It is alleged that hindutva leaders Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide had instigated the mob against the Dalit procession. FIRs were subsequently filed against them but no action was taken by the police against them. [13] Dalit organizations blocked roads and started demonstrations across Maharashtra[14] Violence was reported across Pune - a 16-year-old boy was killed during the violence.[15] A Maharashtra bandh was called by Prakash Ambedkar on 3 January 2018. The aftermath consisted of various protests across Maharashtra resulting in 30 policemen being injured and over 300 people being detained.[16] Protests were staged all over Maharashtra. In Mumbai, suburban trains were affected due to which Dabbawalas had to suspend their services.[17]

Aftermath

Fact finding commission

In February 2018, The Maharashtra Home Department set up a fact finding Commission. This Commission became operational in September 2018 and consisted of former Calcutta High Court chief justice JN Patel and state Chief Information Commissioner Sumit Mullick.[32] The tenure of the Commission expired on 8 April 2020 and they had requested for a six month extension.

Arrests

Notes and References

  1. News: Understanding Bhima Koregaon. Pol. Prabodhan. 2018-01-04. The Hindu. 2018-09-01. en-IN. 0971-751X.
  2. News: Dalits protest death of 28-year-old in Bhima Koregaon clashes. 2018-01-02. Hindustantimes. 2018-01-02. en-IN. 0971-751X.
  3. Web site: Staff . The Wire . 'Pune ATS Spreading Panic in My Neighbourhood': Justice (Retd) B. G. Kolse Patil . 25 October 2020 . The Wire . The Wire.
  4. Web site: Katakam . Anupama . Elgar Parishad case: Victims of vendetta . Frontline . 22 August 2020 . 25 October 2020.
  5. https://www.news18.com/news/india/bhima-koregaon-how-and-why-the-january-violence-snowballed-into-arrest-of-rights-activists-1860141.html Bhima Koregaon: How and Why the January Violence Snowballed Into Arrest of Rights Activists
  6. Web site: Caste violence erupts in India over 200-year-old faultline . CNN . 5 January 2018 . 8 January 2018.
  7. News: Monument at Koregaon. 2018-01-02. The Indian Express. 2018-01-07. en-US.
  8. News: How a British war memorial became a symbol of Dalit pride . The Hindu . 2 January 2018 . 8 January 2018. Banerjee . Shoumojit .
  9. https://www.thequint.com/videos/news-videos/history-of-bhima-koregaon-battle Let’s Rewind 200 Years to Understand Bhima Kore Violence
  10. Aarefa Johari, Abishek Dey, Mridula Chari & Shone Satheesh, From Pune to Paris: How a police investigation turned a Dalit meeting into a Maoist plot, Scroll.in, 1 September 2018.
  11. News: Removal of Mahar samadhi board near Pune sparked clashes. 2018-01-04. The Indian Express. 2018-09-01. en-US.
  12. Web site: Aarefa Johari. Abhishek Dey. From Pune to Paris: How a police investigation turned a Dalit meeting into a Maoist plot. 2019-04-15. Scroll.in. 2 September 2018 . en-US.
  13. News: Independent Inquiry Slams Pune Police for 'Inaction' During Bhima Koregaon Violence .
  14. News: Protests spread in Maharashtra post clashes during bicentenary celebrations of Bhima-Koregaon battle. Banerjee. Shoumojit. 2018-01-02. The Hindu. 2018-08-31. en-IN. 0971-751X.
  15. News: Maharashtra bandh: Minor boy killed as shutdown called by Dalit parties paralyses state. 2018-01-07.
  16. News: Maharashtra protests: Over 30 cops injured, 300 persons detained. PTI. 2018-01-04. livemint.com/. 2018-01-07.
  17. News: Trains hit, dabbawalas suspend services. Srinivasan. Madhuvanti. 2018-01-04. The Hindu. 2018-01-07. en-IN. 0971-751X.
  18. News: Bhima Koregaon Violence: Petition Before Bombay HC Seeking Arrest Of Sambhaji Bhide . 2018-08-31. Live Law. 2018-08-31. en-US.
  19. Web site: Bhima Koregaon Violence: Maharashtra to Withdraw All Cases Barring Major Ones. The Wire. 2018-08-31.
  20. News: Bhima-Koregaon violence: prime accused Milind Ekbote arrested. Banerjee. Shoumojit. 2018-03-14. The Hindu. 2018-08-31. en-IN. 0971-751X.
  21. Web site: Right-Wing Leader Milind Ekbote Arrested After SC Rejects His Anticipatory Bail Plea. The Wire. 2018-08-31.
  22. News: Dalit Girl, Witness To Bhima Koregaon Violence, Found Dead In Well Near Pune. NDTV.com. 2018-08-31.
  23. News: Bhima Koregaon shadow over death of Dalit witness. 2018-04-25. The Indian Express. 2018-08-31. en-US.
  24. News: Bhima Koregaon: How and Why the January Violence Snowballed Into Arrest of Rights Activists. News18. 2018-09-01.
  25. Web site: Bhima Koregaon violence probe: Police claim conclusive proof against activists, seize 'letters' planning 'big action' - Firstpost. firstpost.com. 31 August 2018 . 2018-09-01.
  26. Web site: Maharashtra Home Minister Seeks Probe Report On Bhima Koregaon Case . NDTV . NDTV . 9 October 2020.
  27. Web site: NIA takes over Koregaon-Bhima probe, Maharashtra minister Anil Deshmukh hits out at Centre . India Today . India Today . 9 October 2020.
  28. News: Gupta . Saurabh . NIA Court Rejects Tribal Activist Stan Swamy's Bail Plea . 23 October 2020 . NDTV . 23 October 2020.
  29. Web site: Sandhu. Kamaljit Kaur. This is what NIA's Bhima Koregaon chargesheet says about Stan Swamy. 2020-10-13. 2020-10-13. India Today. en.
  30. News: They were accused of plotting to overthrow the Modi government. The evidence was planted, new report says. . 11 February 2021 . The Washington Post . 10 February 2021.
  31. News: Evidence planted in Bhima Koregaon accused Rona Wilson's computer: US firm . 11 February 2021 . The Tribune . 11 February 2021.
  32. News: Ganapatye . Shruti . Bhima Koregaon commission to 'wind up'? . 1 November 2020 . Mumbai Mirror . 19 June 2020.
  33. News: Bhima-Koregaon violence: Police arrest 5 with alleged Maoist links for inciting riots . 30 October 2018 . hindustantimes.com/ . 6 June 2018 . en.
  34. News: Activists case: Pune police gets 90 more days for probe - Times of India . 30 October 2018 . The Times of India.
  35. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/activists-arrested-in-raids-in-many-cities-in-connection-with-caste-violence-in-maharashtras-bhima-k-1907380 After Arrest Of Activists Over "Maoist Plot", A Midnight Drama: 10 Facts
  36. News: Bhima Koregaon violence case: Five activists will remain under house arrest till September 17, says SC. 2018-09-12. The Indian Express. 2018-09-12. en-US.
  37. News: Supreme Court Grants Bail To Varavara Rao On Medical Grounds In Bhima Koregaon Case, Deletes HC Condition To Surrender After 3 Months. 2022-08-10. 2022-08-15.
  38. News: Bhima-Koregaon case: Supreme Court refuses to interfere with arrests of five activists. Rautray. Samanwaya. 2018-09-28. The Economic Times. 2018-09-28.
  39. News: Supreme Court Extends Activists' House Arrest By 4 Weeks: LIVE Updates. NDTV.com. 2018-09-28.
  40. Web site: Bhima Koregaon case: Activist Varavara Rao arrested from Hyderabad. November 18, 2018.
  41. Web site: MN. Parth. India arrests activist Anand Teltumbde over 2018 caste violence. 2020-10-14. www.aljazeera.com. en.
  42. Web site: 2020-10-14. Bhima Koregaon: Milind Teltumbde organised weapons training in forests, says NIA. 2020-10-15. mid-day. en.
  43. Web site: Bhima Koregaon: Teltumbde organised weapons training in forests. 2020-10-15. Sify. en.
  44. Web site: 2020-10-09. In 10,000-page chargsheet, NIA names 8 accused in Elgar Parishad case. 2020-10-13. Hindustan Times. en.
  45. Web site: 2020-10-09. NIA arrests activist Stan Swamy in Bhima-Koregaon violence case. 2020-10-13. Hindustan Times. en.
  46. News: 2023-07-28 . Bhima-Koregaon case Keeping literature on violence not a terror act, says Supreme Court; grants bail to activists Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Ferreira . en-IN . The Hindu . 2023-07-29 . 0971-751X.