Thousands Protest Murder of Beed Sarpanch, Demand Justice
Dec 28, 2024 10:23 AM IST – Mumbai: In a powerful display of solidarity and demand for justice, thousands of people gathered in Latur on Friday to protest the brutal murder of Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.
The protest was driven by the heartbreaking plea of Deshmukh’s teenage daughter, Vaibhavi, who joined the march and spoke passionately, urging the public to continue supporting her family until justice is served. With tears in her eyes, she condemned the murder and called for swift and severe action against those responsible. “You all know what happened to my father. He was brutally murdered, and you have come here today to seek justice for my family. I request you all to stay with us and help us get justice,” she said.
Protest Details and Demands
The protest, organised by the Sakal Maratha Samaj, a prominent Maratha community outfit, began at Sane Guruji Vidyalaya and culminated at the tehsildar office. A memorandum with a list of demands, including the arrest of the accused and justice for Deshmukh’s family, was submitted to the local authorities. Some protesters also called for the resignation of NCP minister Munde, who is under scrutiny due to his alleged links to Karad, a local strongman believed to be the mastermind behind the murder.
The march, which stretched for over a kilometre, highlighted the anger of the local population over the police’s failure to apprehend all the suspects nearly three weeks after Deshmukh’s death. Deshmukh, the elected head of Massajog village in Beed, was murdered on December 9 after intervening in an extortion attempt at a wind power plant. The police have arrested three individuals in connection with the crime, but four others, including Karad, remain at large.
Outrage and Political Pressure
The killing has sparked outrage, with the opposition and Deshmukh’s family accusing Karad of orchestrating the murder. Vaibhavi also expressed the immense grief her family has endured since the tragic loss. “The pain is irreparable, and no one should have to suffer as we have. I consider all of you as part of my family. The culprits must be arrested immediately and brought to justice. We need steps to ensure such attacks never happen again,” she said.
The protest gains significance in the context of an upcoming silent protest in Beed, scheduled for Saturday, where Maratha activist Manoj Jarange-Patil and leaders from various political parties are expected to join Deshmukh’s family in demanding justice.
Attempted Attack on Another Sarpanch
Meanwhile, in neighbouring Dharashiv district, another sarpanch, Namdeo Nikam, reported a chilling attempt on his life. Nikam claimed that four individuals tried to immolate him and a friend by throwing petrol at their car. The police have opened an investigation into the incident. Sanjay Jadhav, Superintendent of Police for Dharashiv, stated that the authorities are treating the case with the utmost seriousness. “We will not tolerate terror or hooliganism in Dharashiv. Stern action will be taken against the offenders,” he assured the media.
The demand for justice and safety reverberates through the streets of Maharashtra, as the community comes together to seek accountability and protection for its leaders and citizens.
