The second video is from a Hindu Jan Aakrosh Morcha, organised by the Sakal Hindu Samaj, where leaders can be heard issuing threats to those who worship Aurangzeb. Over the past few months, similar rallies have been organised by the Sakal Hindu Samaj, an apex organisation of Hindu-nationalist organisations, across over 20 districts in Maharashtra, including Parbhani, Nanded, Ahmednagar, Kolhapur, Gadchiroli, Satara, Karad, Sangli, Solapur, Pune, Dhule, Jalgaon, Nagpur, Amravati, Hingoli, Buldhana, and Jalna. Many of them have been attended by local leaders including ministers of the state government. 

Communal speech by Kalicharan Maharaj:

He attended a rally where he delivered a speech inciting violence against non-Hindus. “People who understand the language of guns and swords don’t understand words,” he said.

He raised demands for the unification of people from the Hindu faith, alleging that the temples are being demolished because of the caste divisions existing amongst Hindus. The video of the said speech was accessed by us on June 15, 2023.

The speech:

“Those who keep quiet and peaceful, it is usually them who are attacked. If we implement our policy of non-violence with people who are our enemies, then they will obviously harm is. It is the duty of the police, army and the government to destroy those who attack out Hindu religion. If good people and Hindu sadhus are being attacked, then the ones attacking us should be destroyed.”

It should be noted that the’ Palghar Sadhu lynching’ case, a lightning rod for fake news of the Hindutva variety, was handed over to the CBI by the Maharashtra government earlier this year. Earlier around 250 people were arrested and chargesheeted in the Sadhu lynching case by the Maharashtra CID. Though there were attempt to paint a Jain monk’s killing in Karnataka in communal colours, timely police action and the arrest of two men, who had a monetery distpute with the monk, averted a crisis. It hasn’t stopped hate-mongers like Kalicharan from making baseless claims.

“The case of attack on Sadhus in Palghar is yet to be sorted and now the monks in Karnataka are in danger, one has been killed. Even in Solapur, one Sadhu has been attacked. These attacks show us that there are many divisions between the Hindus, we are divided along the caste lines and that is why they are able to attack us. If we all unity, they will not be able to even touch us.”

“Peaceful protest are not going to yield any result anymore. Those who understand the language of guns and swords, they will not be able to understand the language of knowledge and words.”

“Till the time that people who go different types of temples, Budhists, Jains, and people who go to Gurudwaras, don’t unite, they will keep of demolishing our temples. Till now, they have demolished 5 lakh temples and killed a large number of Hindu monks.”

The video can be viewed here:

Location: Solapur, Maharashtra

Far-right monk Kalicharan Maharaj attended a rally where he delivered a provocative speech.

“People who understand the language of guns and swords don’t understand words,” he said. pic.twitter.com/USDh7H2wOE

— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) July 15, 2023

Threats issued by leaders:

At the Hindu Janakroash Morcha, leaders seen deliver hate speech targeting Muslims.

The video can be viewed here:

Location: Solapur, Maharashtra

Sakal Hindu Samaj organized Hindu Janakroash Morcha, where BJP legislator Nitesh Rane delivered hate speech targeting Muslims.

“If anyone dares to praise Augranzeb, we will book a place for you in the graveyard,” Rane threatened pic.twitter.com/NuHy0tpIOJ

— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) July 17, 2023

Related:

Maharashtra: Vasai, Navi Mumbai, Solapur, 3 rallies held by Hindu Jan Aakrosh Morcha demanding ‘Love-Jihad laws’

Controversial figures, including Suresh Chavhanke, incite discord at MP event with alleged disinformation, divisive rhetoric

Solapur: 2 Muslim men brutally assaulted, stripped, tied to a tree, made to chant ‘Jai Shree Ram’

30 FIRs Registered against Hate Speech and Hate Crimes: DGP, Maharashtra

Now ‘Hindu Rashtra’ enters temples in Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka

Hate-speech deployed by right-wing groups demanding UCC, Population Control Bill

The post Rampant hate speeches in Solapur, anti-Muslim sentiments spread appeared first on SabrangIndia.

In July, 2018, in the case of Tehseen Poonawalla v Union of India, a unanimous judgment had been delivered by a 3-judge bench of the Supreme Court on increasing incidents of cow-vigilantism in India, and guidelines had been issued to curb and take action against acts of cow vigilantism. And yet, 5 years post the passing of this landmark judgment, the menace of cow vigilantism is nowhere decreasing, and these goons are being given full reign to terrorise and abuse citizens, mostly Muslims, on suspicion of consuming or transporting beef.

The video can be viewed here:

Location: Solapur, Maharashtra

Two Muslim men were stripped, tied to a tree, and brutally beaten by cow vigilantes, including members of the Bajrang Dal militia, over suspicion of cattle slaughter.

One victim continues to be in serious condition due to the injuries. pic.twitter.com/QWpGhShfqe

— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) July 7, 2023

One of the two victims of the said assault continues to be in serious condition due to the injuries suffered by him. A video of the victim speaking to a journalist, narrating the incident and the injuries suffered by him, has also been uploaded on social media. As per the said video, the incident took place on Bakri-Eid when the victim, a Maulana, was sitting in a field with his friend. As it was Bakri Eid, the two were planning to slaughter an animal. As has been understood from his video, shot as he was crying with pain and lying in a hospital, the victim was planning to slaughter a cow from his personal cattle, since he could not afford to buy another animal. It was then that a group of 30-40 people belonging to the Bajrang militia came to his field and starting abusing and beating the two of them.

As had been further purported by the victim, he was also forced to chant the religious slogan of ‘Jai Shree Ram’. At first, the victim was denied chanting the slogan, as a result of which he was beaten more, but even after saying it, he was being beaten up. The victim stated that he was beaten up with sticks and rods, over his back, his legs and his head.

Through the video, the victim has urged for justice. He purported that the violence meted out to him was injustice, and he wants the perpetrators to be put behind bars as there is a threat to life of the victim as well his family. The victim can be heard saying “woh log kuch bhi kar sakte hai (these people are capable of doing anything).” It is essential to note that the victim had also stated the names of the people involved in the attack in the said video.

The video can be viewed here:

Heartbreaking testimony of the victim: pic.twitter.com/ZLfzrwapDz

— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) July 7, 2023

Reportedly, a case has been filed against both the parties, the group of Bajrang militia as well as the two Muslim men, who were slaughtering the cow. It is essential to note that as per the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, 1976, cow slaughter is illegal in the state of Maharashtra. Yet, it is further essential to note that if is it proven that the person was committing slaughter of cow, an offence under the said Act, the only punishment that should be granted to them should be the ones prescribed under the Act, of fines or imprisonment, and not illegal beating and violence. Herein, even before the crime of person was proven, this group of goons and self-proclaimed guardians of the Hindu religion, who seem to have given themselves more power than the law, beat up the Muslim men.

Rising cases of cow vigilantism in Maharashtra- encouraged by the ones in power?

Only last week, on June 25, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker, Rahul Narwekar, said he has asked the state police to maintain strict vigil and seal borders to ensure there is no transportation of cattle from neighbouring states and no attack on ‘gau rakshaks’ (cow vigilantes). The speaker also stated that he had asked the police to set up squads to visit and patrol sensitive areas.

Notably, the said statement by the Maharashtra speaker had been made after a 32-year-old man had been lynched allegedly by a group of ‘cow vigilantes’ on suspicion of transporting beef in Maharashtra’s Nashik district on June 24. Reportedly, this was the second incident reported in Nashik in the month of June.

Cow vigilantism incidents were mostly unheard of in the state of Maharashtra. Starting June, such incidents of lynching’s and abuse by cow vigilantes have come forth. Perhaps, the impunity and illegal power that the cow vigilantes seem to hold in the state of Maharashtra can be purported as the reason that these incidents seem to be on the rise.

Related:

Another cow lynching in Nashik, one dead

Maharashtra’s shame: Cow lynching episode reported in Nashik

Madhya Pradesh: Muslim family brutally assalted in Chhindwara

Haryana: More cow vigilantism incidents were reported in April, state district-level special committees fail to act

11 arrests in Nashik for killing man, brutally assaulting another for ‘transporting beef’

The post Solapur: 2 Muslim men brutally assaulted, stripped, tied to a tree, made to chant ‘Jai Shree Ram’ appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Aaquib Altaf Hussain Khan ( featured above), is a computer science student and shared that he was very excited to be voting for the first time. ”  it is a national responsibility, voting should be a top priority of each and every Indian.” he said.

Afsana and Rukhsana Shiledar (above) are both sisters who voted for the first time and had come with their parents. Speaking to TwoCircles.net, they said they are expecting reservations for Muslim to enable them to join the mainstream society,  good education facilities for youths, drinking water and sanitation to keep our Bharath Swachh. Afsana and Rukhsana are  pursuing their bachelors degree in Arts in a city based college.

Courtesy: Two Circle

The post First-time voters in Solapur share their views appeared first on SabrangIndia.

MP Elections in Solapur are on 18th April and in Goa on 23rd. Here is what some of the voters feel which they shared with TwoCircles.net:

 

Asif Husain, 48 years old, is  a peace activist, attached with many social and educational bodies of Goa from Vasco. He couldn’t control his uneasiness and expressed him views about the performance  of the central government in the last 5 years as:
 

“Acche  din got lost in the  din,

Phir  ek  baar  galti  na  Kar mere yaar,

Is baar koi  aur  mere yaar”
 

According to Asif, It all started with Love jihad. But there could be no ghar wapsi after that, Soon we were  introduced to ‘lynching.
 

Criticising the role of the media, he says, “The 4 Senior  judges of Supreme Court tried to warn us but the Sold media buried the  threat.”

“Anyway constitution is the target, and universities became battle grounds, Dalits were skinned for riding horses, Farmers and soldiers betrayed,” He quoted further.
 

 

42 year old Parvez who has worked with corporate sector and is a progressive activist, from Solapur (Maharashtra), says, “My city Solapur is a mixture of all communities but painful to say that it is struggling for drinking water, good roads, employment, industries  etc. from decades. And this has resulted in migration and qualified youths  settling in other cities like Pune  in a large number.”
 

Stressing on the upliftment of marginalized Parvez Peerzade said, “It is the need of the hour. Strengthening Bahujan movement by voting for then  is the key which can help disadvantaged section to join the mainstream society.”

Courtesy: Two Circle

The post Pre-polling: What voters in Goa and Solapur feel appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Gnyaneshwar Kamble with SabrangIndia correspondent Akbar Sheikh

For the first time in the country’s history a transgender person has been elected Sarpanch of a village. Tarangfal is the village from Malshiras taluka in Maharashtra’s Solapur district which has created history and is attracting a lot of media attention.

The election of Gnyaneshwar Kamble is being seen a cultural leap forward since transgender persons are generally denied dignity in our society and there is still a long road ahead in their battle for self-esteem and acceptance as equals in the social mainstream.

It is in this backdrop that the decision of the voters from a village in interior Maharashtra comes across as a courageous step towards justice.

Gnyaneshwar Kamble (who prefers the female gender) has thanked all concerned after her election. “I am grateful to this democracy and this constitution thanks to which today I being treated as a human being. I thank all the people of the village who have conceded to me my right, considered me qualified for the post. Normally, people promptly look the other way the moment they set eyes on us,” she told SabrangIndia.     
      
“Now that the people have reposed their faith in me, I will not disappoint them. I will ensure that work gets done and there is no corruption. I will do my best to transform my village into an ideal village,” she added.

Kamble recounted her life’s tortuous journey: “While growing up when I realised that I was not like other boys, they threatened me and then tried to reason with me. But there was no way to hide the truth. My family members felt ashamed of me. In disgrace I had to leave the village. I survived in a neighbouring village on alms collected in the name of goddess Yellamma. I spent 16 years of my life as a beggar. I have seen poverty from close quarters, I have seen what corruption does to people. Somehow, I gathered courage and returned to my village.”

“I used to feel terrible having to beg in order to survive. Whenever I approached any shop keeper or someone on the street, people would turn their faces away from me. I hated begging but what other option does society offer to a transgender person? I have always wished for the well-being of others. We are struggling for our basic human rights and the battle will continue till we succeed. I have laid a foundation and I now seek everyone’s co-operation and goodwill”.

Asked about her priorities as a Sarpanch, Kamble told SabrangIndia, “What would I do with money made through corruption? Who for? I’d rather set an example for others to follow.”
Pleased with her election, people in the area have been extending warm greetings to Kamble.

(Akbar Sheikh, a Marathi-speaking farmer, writer and a poet lives in a village in Solapur district).

(Translated from Hindi into English by SabrangIndia staff).
 

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