Massive protest in Beed over murder of sarpanch; demand for Munde’s sacking intensifies

Alleged murder of Santosh Deshmukh sparks protests in Maharashtra, demanding justice for slain sarpanch against extortion racket.

The alleged murder of Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massejog village in Beed district, has triggered massive protests and a political storm in Maharashtra. Mr. Deshmukh was allegedly abducted, tortured, and killed on December 9 for opposing an extortion racket targeting a windmill company.

On Saturday (December 28, 2024), thousands, including legislators from both ruling MahaYuti and Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, gathered to demand justice for the sarpanch. The protest, dubbed the “Aakrosh Morcha” (March of Anger), saw participation from political leaders across party lines, social activists, and members of the Maratha community.

Prominent participants included Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje of the Kolhapur royal family, BJP MLAs Suresh Dhas and Abhimanyu Pawar, NCP MLAs Prakash Solanke and Sandeep Kshirsagar, and NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Awhad. The protestors demanded the immediate arrest of Walmik Karad, a close associate of NCP minister Dhananjay Munde, who has been accused of being linked to the crime.

During the rally, Mr. Deshmukh’s daughter, Vaibhavi, made an emotional appeal, saying, “Please give justice to my father.”

“My father gave his life trying to save someone from the Dalit community. He stood for justice, and now we demand the same for him,” she said.

Mr. Abhimanyu Pawar, BJP MLA from Ausa and a former aide to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, criticised the government’s inaction. “Even as a part of the ruling dispensation, I must say this: if the accused are not arrested soon, these protests will spread across Maharashtra. Justice for Santosh Deshmukh’s family cannot wait,” he said.

His party colleague, Mr. Dhas accused Food and Civil Supplies Minister Mr. Munde of benefiting from irregularities during elections. “Munde won the Parli assembly seat using bogus votes. His association with accused individuals like Karad raises serious concerns,” Mr.Dhas alleged.