Elgar Parishad’s speeches triggered riots: Cops to panel

The January 1 violence at Koregaon-Bhima was triggered by “provocative and inciting” speeches made at the Elgar Parishad conclave a day earlier, the Pune police has told a judicial commission.

The Pune police submitted an affidavit in this regard Friday to an inquiry commission set up by the Maharashtra government under Justice (retd) JN Patel to probe the violence.

The Elgar Parishad was organised at the Shaniwar Wada in Pune on December 31 last year to commemorate the victory of the East India Company forces, comprising a large number of Dalit soldiers, over the Peshwa army in 1818.

It led to violence in the area on January 1 this year as well as protests by Dalit groups across the state, including a state bandh on January 3.

On behalf of the Pune police, Additional Commissioner of Police (South Region) Ravindra Sengaonkar filed the affidavit, Shishir Hiray, special public prosecutor representing the state at the judicial commission, said. When contacted, Sengaonkar confirmed that an affidavit was filed.

Elaborating on the content of the affidavit, Hiray Sunday said, “During the investigation of the case, the Pune police realised that the Elgar Parishad itself was the product of some sort of a conspiracy.”

“And the provocative and inciting speeches made at the conclave instigated the minds of people and the cumulative effect of a widespread conspiracy ultimately resulted in violence the next day at BhimaKoregaon,” he added, quoting from the police affidavit.

During investigation of the case, we realised that the Elgar Parishad itself was the product of some sort of a conspiracy –PUNE POLICE