Santosh Shinde allegedly claimed that the recent lathi charge on warkaris during the palkhi procession was “government-sponsored”. The Sambhaji Brigade leader asked Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to apologise for the police action.
Sambhaji Brigade leader Santosh Shinde has been booked for a purported Facebook video wherein he claims that his outfit will not allow the chief minister and the deputy chief minister to perform puja at the Pandharpur temple. Notably, a ritual is performed by the head of the state government on the occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi every year.
Based on a complaint filed by Tushar Damgude, 42, a resident of Katraj, the FIR was lodged at the Sahakar Nagar police station Saturday.
Santosh Shinde allegedly claimed that the recent lathi charge on warkaris during the palkhi procession was “government-sponsored”. The Sambhaji Brigade leader asked the chief minister and the deputy chief minister to apologise for the police action.
The dual palkhi processions carrying the footwear of Sant Tukaram Maharaj and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, which started from the temple towns of Dehu and Alandi, respectively, are slated to reach Pandharpur on the occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi on June 29.
Last Sunday, an altercation broke out between police personnel and young warkaris when the latter tried to enter the temple in Alandi.
In the FIR, Damgude alleged that Santosh Shinde posted the video to provoke warkaris against the government and the police machinery, which may result in a law and order situation at Pandharpur on the day of Ashadhi Ekadashi.
The police have booked Santosh Shinde under Sections 153, 189, 505 (1) (b), and 506 of the Indian Penal Code. Police inspector Manoj Shedge is investigating the case.
When contacted, Santosh Shinde said: “It is repressive that an FIR has been lodged against me for a video in which I questioned the police and the government for their condemnable action of thrashing the warkaris in Alandi. Seeking an apology from CM, Dy CM is not a crime. We follow the law. It is false to say that we want to create law and order problems.”
Damgude was also the complainant in the Elgaar Parishad case in Pune, which is now being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). As many as 16 persons were arrested in this case from different parts of the country for their alleged links with the banned CPI (Maoist).
Source : indianexpress.com