Cutting across lines, members in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday condemned recent incidents of caste violence in Maharashtra and called for action against the perpetrators. The Opposition demanded a judicial probe by a sitting Supreme Court judge alleging failure of the State administration in checking the incident stoked by communal elements. The ruling Benches rejected the charge and said the local Government took timely action to contain violence.
Before the members expressed their views, chairman M Venkaiah Naidu urged the Elders to appreciate the sensitive nature of the subject and said efforts should be made to restore normalcy. Terming the incidents as "social conflict," he also appealed to the members not to say anything that may "escalate" the situation. Most of the Elders adhered to the Chair's advice during their short speeches calling for peace and unity among various sections of society. The House had witnessed repeated adjournments on Wednesday over the issue.
Initiating the discussion, Rajani Patil (Congress) alleged that atrocities against dalits had taken place under the watch of the Maharashtra Government and claimed "Manuwadi" ideology coupled with some Hindu outfits were responsible for the incidents in Koregaon. Nadimul Haque (TMC) said marginalised sections of society were targets of violence and a pattern was emerging after the Maharashtra incidents. Demanding an impartial probe, he said "this political lynching should immediately stop."
Veteran politician and NCP leader Sharad Pawar, a former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, in his measured speech appealed for normalcy and forget the incident in order to move on. He said such violence had not taken place in the last 50 years.
He said the State administration should have been more vigilant as a large gathering was expected in Pune while tracing the historical background of Bhima-Koregaon event and sentiments of dalits associated with it. Pawar suggested that everyone should cooperate to bring about peace and harmony among the different sections of society, amid thumping of desks by members of both ruling and Opposition parties.
Alleging that some parallel outfits of BJP were flexing their muscle, Naresh Agrawal(SP) said such perverse minds treated dalits and minorities as second class citizens. He demanded a commission of enquiry to fix responsibility for violence. T K Rangarajan(CPM) alleged "tactical" support of the Maharasthra administration, ruling party and police for the incident. In this background, a probe by a sitting judge of Supreme Court should be ordered, he said. Veer Singh (BSP) seconded the CPM's demand of a judicial enquiry.
While condemning the spate of violence, Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena), however, rejected the charge that the State administration did not act timely and appreciated its "patience" in dealing with the situation. He also said such incidents should be not linked with Hindu organisations and alleged that an "invisible hand" is working to divide and rule society. D Raja (CPI), Ramdas Athavale (RPI), Amar Sable (BJP), B S Bhunder(SAD), Sambaji Chhatrapati (BJP), Dilip Tirkey(BJD) and A Navaneethkrishnan also expressed their views.