What is Bhima-Koregaon?
Bhima Koregaon is a small village in Pune, Maharashtra. On 1st January 1818, a Dalit-Dominated British Army defeated the Peshwa Army which was led by Peshwa Bajirao II after which the village Bhima-Koregaon has been associated with an important phase of Maratha history.
What happened in Bhima-Koregaon?
2018 marked the 200th year of the battle won by Dalit soldiers against the Peshwas in 1818 and always attracted a large crowd for celebrating the defeat of Peshwas in Bhima-Koregaon. Hence compared to the last few years the crowd gathered in 2018 was way more. The Dalits attained a stature after defeating the Peshwas as Dalits faced a lot of injustice from Peshwas. Peshwas were known for their oppressive and casteist rule.
While the celebration’s happened, there were violent clashes between the Dalit’s and the Marathi groups which led to several people being injured and one had lost his life.
On 31st December 2017, a conclave held in Pune ‘Elgar Parishad’ where certain speeches and performances were done on several issues including criticism of Dalit rights and criticising PM Modi led government were said to be offensive and inflammatory which resulted in the violence that happened the next day near Bhima-Koregaon war memorial, said the police. The conclave ‘Elgar Parishad’ was organized by two retired judges, PB Sawant and BG Kolse Patil. The conclave where many left-wingers were present including Umar Khalid JNU student leader, Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani, Radhika Vemula, Soni Sori, and many other tribal activists.
So far 16 people had been arrested:
Jyoti Ragobha Jagtap, Sagar Tatyaram Gorkhe, Ramesh Murlidhar Gaichor, Sudhir Dhawale, Surendra Gadling, Mahesh Raut, Shoma Sen, Rona Wilson, Arun Ferreira, Sudha Bharadwarj, Varavara Rao, Vernon Gonsalves, Anand Teltumbde, Gautam Navlakha, Hany Babu and Father Stan Swamy.
Reports also suggest that the trigger for the violent clashes happened after the Memorial of Govind Gopal Mahar was vandalized on 29th December 2017. A village 3 kms away from Bhima-Koregaon called Vadhu Badruk. Vadhu Badruk is the village that has a memorial of the local hero Govind Gopal Mahar (Gaikwad). It is said that Govind Gopal Mahar has performed the last rites for Chhatrapati Sambhanji Maharaj. Police also said that the conclave was backed and funded by Maoists.
Bombay High Court case hearing on accused Stan Swamy’s Plea
On Wednesday 19th May 2021, the Bombay High Court heard tribal activist Stan Swamy’s plea for interim bail.
A note submitted to the Bombay High Court stated that 84 year old Tribal activist Stan Swamy had been unwell and has Parkinson’s disease. Stan Swamy is an accused in the Bhima-Koregaon case. Father Joseph, who knows Stan Swamy for a long time had mentioned in the note that Stan never complained ever even if he is undergoing pain and the fact that he has mentioned it means he is unwell. Stan Swamy has been in Taloja Jail since last October. Stan Swamy’s plea stated that he should be given interim bail immediately as his health is deteriorating or an alternative of a house arrest. An independent bench of Justice SJ Kathawalla and Surendra Tavade heard the matter today
[#Bhimakoregaon– #ElgaarParishad Case]
The Bombay HC will hear 84 yr old ailing tribal rights activist, Father Stan Swamy's plea for interim bail.
He suffers from parkinsons and faces difficulty performing even basic chores. #BombayHC #StanSwamy #InterimBail pic.twitter.com/diQDBv3Bj2
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) May 19, 2021
Assistant Solicitor General Anil Singh who represented the NIA, urged the judges to note that earlier in October Stan Swamy’s interim bail was rejected by a trial court. The bench asked Senior Advocate Mihir Desai representing the accused Stan Swamy, to point out the details of his ailments to which Adv Desai replied saying that he filed a note regarding his health and further deterioration can be seen. He was also taken to JJ Hospital for a check-up. The court ordered that “Taloja Prison has submitted a report of Stan Swamy’s health being hemodynamically stable, he is been provided with two attendants a high protein diet and hot water to bathe. Court took to notice that a psychiatrist visits him in prison however the report doesn’t have any mentions about him facing problems or being unwell.” ASG also pointed out that the reports also suggest that Stan Swamy never complained but has expressed satisfaction.
The Court ordered for the accused to be present via video conferencing on 21st May at 10.30 am.
[author title=”Shefali Kochhar,” image=”http://goachronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Screenshot_20210321-160233_LinkedIn.jpg”]Intern, Goa Chronicle .
I am an entrepreneur who has tried her hands on various ventures like Electric Vehicle Charging Station , Online Retail Store / Trading and few more ventures. I have done my entrepreneurship from Amity University Noida.[/author]
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