To act or not to act over violence: Fadnavis’ dilemma

Mumbai: The Bhima-Koregaon violence and subsequent state-wide protests have put CM Devendra Fadnavis in a dilemma. Neither can he ask the police to take action against Sambhaji Bhide Guruji and Milind Ekbote, as demanded by dalit groups, for fear that this might invite the wrath of Maratha and Hindutva hardliners. Nor can he afford to be seen as not taking any action for that would bring dalit backlash.

Wednesday saw uproar in parliament over caste-clashes in the state, with pressure on the CM mounting, more so because senior ministers are not with him in this crisis even as government faces growing attacks from the opposition and other organisations, said sources in government. The other challenge before the government is to recover damages from organisers of the bandh. While there is a legal provision for the same, the CM is hesitant about taking action as it may trigger further dalit unrest.

The agitations at the time of Maratha reservations were non-violent but this time around, the protests have turned violent, making it a sensitive communal issue. Republican Party of India (RPI) leader Prakash Ambedkar demanded action against Bhide Guruji and Hindutvawadi leader Ekbote and their followers, who pelted stones and burned vehicles at the recent Bhima-Koregaon gathering in Pune. The police has registered a FIR, but the CM cannot direct the police to arrest the concerned persons as this may spark reaction from Maratha and Hindutvawadi organisations. Instead, the CM has declared a judicial probe for the situation to cool down so that he does not have to take any such action. Still, dalit organisations are continuing to demand action against Bhide Guruji and Ekbote.

Bhide Guruji is very powerful in western Maharashtra and his photograph with PM Narendra Modi and CM Fadnavis has gone viral since two to three days. With dalits being a major vote bank, the BJP does not want to upset them ahead of the 2019 elections. It is a very difficult situation for the CM who is trying to find a way to cool down dalit groups - that too, without much help from senior ministers and party leaders, said sources.