Treat duo held for arson like Yakub: Ambedkar

Says Bhide, Ekbote must be punished for Bhima Koregaon violence

After calling for a successful Maharashtra bandh, Bharip Bahujan Aghadi leader Prakash Ambedkar on Wednesday asked the government to abide by a Supreme Court order in the Yakub Memon case in connection with bomb blast, while dealing with Sambhaji Bhide and Milind Ekbote’s case.

Sambhaji Bhide, president of Shivjagar Pratisthan, and Milind Ekbote, executive president of Samasta Hindu Aaghadi ( SHA), were arrested for instigating a mob at Koregaon Bhima to indulge in violence on Monday.

Mr Ambedkar said that though Memon was allegedly not involved in the blasts, the SC had termed his role as most vital. “In the same manner, Bhide and Ekbote were not present during the Bhima Koregaon violence, near Pune but they instigated the people. They deserve the same rational,” Mr Ambedkar said.

He added that there were many messages on social media about the Bhima

40 buses were attacked when people were returning home, but there was no reaction to it by the government. They ( dalit) had a feeling that they were ignored despite the attack.

— Prakash Ambedkar,

Dalit leader

Koregaon caste clashes. “The government should refer to the SC order in Yakub Memon’s case while dealing with Bhide and Ekbote,” he said. Mr Amebdkar said that he was expecting arrest of Bhide and Ekbote.

Talking about the bandh that crippled the state, Mr Ambedkar said that the bandh has again started a social churning in the society. “A dialogue has been started between Marathas, OBCs and Dalits again. There was bitterness among the castes and few tried to take advantage of it,” he added.

Terming the bandh as anger among of the dalit community, Mr Ambedkar said that there was a feeling among them that they were ignored. “Around 3.5 lakh people attended the Bhima Koregaon programme. Their 40 buses were attacked when they were returning home, but there was no reaction to it by the government. They ( dalit) had a feeling that they were ignored despite the attack,” he said.