The tragic death of Somnath Vyankat Suryawandi, a Dalit law student, in judicial custody on December 15, has sparked outrage in Maharashtra. Suryawandi, who was arrested following the defiling of a statue of Dr B. R. Ambedkar near the Parbhani Railway Station on December 10, was found dead just 72 hours later.
This incident has prompted a wave of political and social reactions, with calls for justice and accountability in the face of alleged police brutality.
Prakash Ambedkar, the president of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), has adopted a strong stance on the matter, demanding immediate action from the state government.
He met with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and submitted a memorandum outlining several key demands.
Ambedkar has called for a comprehensive survey to identify the victims of police brutality in Parbhani, especially in the wake of Suryawandi's death. He has urged the CM to ensure that these victims receive proper compensation for the mistreatment they endured.
Ambedkar's demands extend beyond compensation for victims. He has called for an investigation into the actions of the police officers allegedly involved in the brutalisation of Suryawandi and others.
According to Ambedkar, the officers should be held accountable for their actions, particularly the order for a "lathi-charge" without prior approval from senior officials. He has also demanded that those responsible for demolishing Dalit homes be held accountable.
One of the more significant demands from Ambedkar is the increase in compensation for Suryawandi’s family. He has requested that the government raise the compensation from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore for the next of kin.
Additionally, Ambedkar has asked the government to offer a job to a family member of the deceased as part of the compensation package.
In light of the upcoming anniversary of the Koregaon-Bhima caste riots, which occurred on January 1, 2018, Ambedkar has called on the CM to take preventive measures to avoid any further violence against Dalits.
He has requested that the police closely monitor any attempts to spread misinformation or incite violence on New Year’s Day, particularly targeting Dalit communities.
Another of Ambedkar’s key demands is the cancellation of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme for tribal students. He has urged the government to revert to the old system, which he believes would be more beneficial for these students.
The controversy surrounding Suryawandi’s death has also attracted attention from national political leaders. Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, visited Suryawandi's family to offer condolences.
After meeting with the family on December 23, Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the state government.
He accused the government of being responsible for Suryawandi's death, calling it a "murder" rooted in caste-based discrimination. Gandhi also criticised Chief Minister Fadnavis for allegedly lying in the legislature about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The controversy has also drawn support from other political leaders, including Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar and representatives from various parties, including Shiv Sena (UBT), VBA, and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). These leaders have rallied behind the Suryawandi family, demanding justice and accountability for the loss.
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