Withdraw cases against dalits: RPI head

Mumbai:  Union minister and Republican Party of India (RPI) leader Ramdas Athawale has demanded withdrawal of cases against dalit workers across the state during the January 3 bandh called by dalit outfits to protest the violence that erupted at the bicentennial celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle. “There are complaints that the police is beating dalit workers which is against the law. I am writing a letter to CM Devendra Fadnavis on these issues immediately.”

Many dalit workers from Chembur, Vikhroli and other parts of the state met Mr Athawale on Monday. They raised various issues and complained that the police is harassing and beating dalit workers. Mr Athavale said that there had been no serious offences and that these workers had been agitating on social issues. “All of us RPI leaders supported the bandh called by Prakash Ambedkar. There were no cases of robbery or damage to shops etc. So, the police should not register cases of serious offences against dalit community workers. They are not criminals but the police is beating them, which is against the law.”

Mr Athawale demanded, “The CM should not wait for the judicial probe but take action against the culprits who planned the violence at Bhima-Koregaon. The police is investigating and it should take action immediately.”