Parbhani, Maharashtra - Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, visited Parbhani on December 25, 2023, to meet the family of Somnath Suryawanshi, who tragically died under police custody. The visit, following violent upheaval stemming from the desecration of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's statue, has stirred significant political contention, reflecting the tensions around caste discrimination and police violence.
Suryawanshi, aged 35, succumbed on December 15 after being arrested during protests related to the vandalism of a glass-enclosed replica of the Constitution, which was located near Ambedkar's statue. Violence erupted on December 10, igniting protests from the Dalit community, leading to over 50 arrests and widespread unrest. Allegations surfaced alleging police brutality against Suryawanshi, culminating with Gandhi declaring, "It’s 100 percent a murder. The police have killed him... He has been killed because he was a Dalit and was trying to protect the Constitution," during his meeting with the deceased's family.
Dressed in dark blue, symbolic of Dalit pride, Gandhi entered the Suryawanshi household barefoot as a mark of respect. He listened intently to the family's account of events before comforting them with promises of justice. Emphasizing his stance, he said, "The ideology of the RSS is to destroy the Constitution," pointing fingers at Maharashtra's ruling party, the BJP, for perpetuating systemic discrimination.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended the government's actions, claiming no torture occurred. "Rahul Gandhi has come here only for political purposes... he's been doing this work for the last many years," remarked Fadnavis, dismissing Gandhi’s assertions as politically motivated. Despite this, he announced the initiation of judicial inquiries and financial compensation of ₹10 lakh for Suryawanshi's family, asserting, "We have ordered judicial probe. Truth will come out." This juxtaposition of political responses underlines the complexity surrounding the incident.
Nana F. Patole, the Maharashtra Congress President, supported Gandhi's call for justice, asserting the need for judicial accountability. The situation has sparked outrage across the region, compelling the opposition to demand thorough investigations. "The police didn’t give any information... They should be punished because they have killed my brother," was echoed passionately by Premnath Suryawanshi, Somnath's brother, urging for action against those responsible for the custodial death.
The event unearthed underlying societal fractures, exacerbated by political rhetoric. Suryawanshi's death has prompted protests not just over the immediate tragedy, but also reflecting broader issues of caste-based violence and police impunity, generating discussions around justice and rights for the oppressed.
This incident has reignited debate on caste discrimination within India's social framework, as Gandhi's comments resonate amid allegations of targeted violence against marginalized communities. The ruling party’s challenge to Gandhi's motives frames this conflict as not simply about one life lost, but about ideological battles over India’s foundational principles.
With the Maharashtra government pledging to hold accountable those responsible for Suryawanshi's death, the outcome of these inquiries will likely set precedents for the future handling of similar incidents. The public's response continues to shape the discourse on justice, policy, and communal harmony, as both opposition and ruling party strive for narrative dominance.
Gandhi concluded his visit with promises of solidarity and action, indicating the political ramifications extend far beyond Parbhani. The echoes of Suryawanshi's death will undoubtedly shape the region's political discourse, bringing caste issues and governance under intense scrutiny.
