There was high drama in the Maharashtra Assembly on Monday as opposition parties Congress and NCP alleged that a Shiv Sena MLA recently performed a “purification ritual” at Chavdar Tale (a tasty water
There was high drama in the Maharashtra Assembly on Monday as opposition parties Congress and NCP alleged that a Shiv Sena MLA recently performed a “purification ritual” at Chavdar Tale (a tasty water lake) at Mahad in Raigad district, where Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar had once led a “water satyagraha” to assert Dalits’ rights to use water in the lake.
The Opposition kept up vociferous protests over the alleged incident, so much so, the House was adjourned for the day. Opposition Leader Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said that Sena MLA, Bharat Gogawale’s act amounted to “insulting” the Dalit icon, and sought a statement and apology from chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Back in March 1927, Dr Ambedkar had arranged a conference at Mahad and at the end of it, he and his followers had marched to Chavdar Tale, the main tank of the town, and drunk its water to symbolise that all sections of society had rights over the lake’s water.
Mr Vikhe-Patil also raked up the issue of police cases slapped on students of Pune’s Fergusson College for chanting “Jai Bhim”, a salutation used by followers of Dr Ambedkar. Women MLAs of Congress rushed in the direction of Speaker Haribhau Bagade’s podium and shouted anti-government slogans.
Former chief minister and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan and NCP MLA Jayant Patil demanded that Mr Fadnavis make a statement on the Chavdar Tale and Fergusson issues. The house was adjourned amidst noisy scenes. It was adjourned four times again, before being adjourned for the day.
Meanwhile, the Chavdar Tale issue was also raked up in the state legislative council by MLC Jogendra Kawade, who said that the incident had tarnished Maharashtra’s image. “The Sena MLA was accompanied by state officials in his act. Action should also be taken against these officials,” he said.
BOX The issue of alleged anti-national slogans at Pune’s Fergusson College was also raised in the state legislative council, as opposition members alleged that the state government was trying to suppress voices of dissent against it. Lok Bharti MLC, Kapil Patil, said that false allegations of raising anti-national slogans had been slapped against college students. However, Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse said that such types of slogans would not be tolerated and the state government would “crush” any attempts to raise them. He also said that the government would probe whether the event at Fergusson College in Pune where (JNUSU President) Kanhaiya Kumar was invited had permission.
