Eyewitness of Bhima Koregaon Riots: ‘UAPA Being Misused by Police’

Bhima Koregaon Arrests: Activist Rahul Dambale, an eyewitness of January riots, raises doubts about probe.

Bhima Koregaon Arrests: Pune-based activist Rahul Dambale, an eyewitness of January riots, raises doubts about probe.

(Photo: Harsh Sahni/ The Quint)

Video Editor: Ashutosh Bhardwaj & Vishal Kumar

Rahul Dambale, president of Republican Yuva Morcha was the first one to submit an affidavit in June this year to the JN Patel commission, which was constituted to probe the Bhima Koregaon violence.

Pune-based Dambale is an eye witness of the violence in Bhima Koregaon village and has been actively involved in mobilising victims to file affidavits before the judicial panel.

But Dambale has apprehensions about the Pune police that is currently investigating the Bhima Koregaon clashes which had erupted on 1 January, resulting in one death.

Since the last 7 months, victims of Bhima Koregaon violence have been fighting a battle for justice. Though 1,500 rioters had been named in the FIR, not even 10 percent of them have been arrested by the police till date. There are many victims who were beaten up by upper caste men; their shops were burnt, yet an FIR hasn’t been filed.

Rahul Dambale, Activist & President (Republican Yuva Morcha)

Pune police believes that an event, Elgar Parishad, that was organised in Pune on 31 December 2017 triggered violent clashes in Bhima Koregaon.

On 1 January when Dalits were celebrating 200 years of their victory over Peshwas in a battle under the British Army in Bhima Koregaon, they were allegedly attacked by some groups carrying saffron flags.

Activist Dambale claims that though he was not involved with Elgar Parishad in any way, he received a notice by the police in June.

Despite the fact that I was not a part of the organising committee of the Elgar Parishad, I received a notice by the Pune police. In order to target people like us and build pressure, UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act) is being misused by the Pune police.

Rahul Dambale, Activist & President (Republican Yuva Morcha)

Following the arrest of five activists who have been put under house arrest till September 6, Dambale says he is surprised by the police action. On 28 August, police had conducted raids on the residence of five activists – Sudha Bharadwaj, Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves, Gautam Navlakha and Varavara Rao. They were arrested in connection with the Bhima Koregaon violence.

I’m surprised after yesterday’s arrests in Delhi and other places. I also feel that in the backdrop of arrests of Sanatan Sanstha members, by Maharashtra ATS, police’s action seems like a diversionary tactic.

Rahul Dambale, Activist & President (Republican Yuva Morcha)