Parbhani (Maharashtra): On December 16, Parbhani, Maharashtra, witnessed a peaceful shutdown (bandh) after Somnath Vyankat Suryavanshi, a 35-year-old laborer and law student, died under suspicious circumstances while in judicial custody. His death has been linked to recent unrest following the desecration of a statue of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
The bandh was organized by the Republican Sena, led by Anandraj Y. Ambedkar, with support from Dalit groups, including the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) headed by Prakash Y. Ambedkar, and members of the Republican Party of India (A) and (K), along with the Communist Party of India (M).
Authorities reported that Suryavanshi was hospitalized after experiencing chest pains but his supporters claim he suffered severe police brutality following his arrest on December 11. The Parbhani police have increased security in sensitive areas in anticipation of protests.
Prakash Y. Ambedkar has called for a thorough and properly documented autopsy, stating that the death of Suryavanshi, who belonged to the Wadar community and was active in the Bhim Sainik movement, is both “sickening and intolerable,” especially given that the court had approved his bail just before his death.
The unrest began on December 10, when a person vandalized a copy of the Constitution at a statue of Ambedkar, leading to violence over the following days. In response, police arrested approximately 300 locals, primarily Dalits, including Suryavanshi, who died within 72 hours of his apprehension.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to initiate a comprehensive investigation into Suryavanshi’s death, call for the dismissal of any responsible police officers, provide 25 lakh compensation to Suryavanshi’s family, and retract charges against those wrongfully implicated in the unrest.
The situation is currently being closely monitored by top police officials, as calls for the peaceful bandh continue across the region.