VIVEK VICHAR MANCH
under Vivek Vyaspeeth, Registration No. Maha / F-19710 (Mumbai),
12 Kamat Industrial Area, 396 Veer Savarkar Marg, Prabhadevi Mumbai
25
PRESS-NOTE
1.
Vivek Vichar Manch is a
Non-Government Organisation dedicated to address the issues of violation of
Human Rights, Atrocities against Civil Rights by way of the initiative
including assistance for legal action and creation of awareness amongst the
sufferers and people at large.
2.
On 16th April 2020, at
village Gadchinchale in District Palghar, wherein two Sanyasis and their driver
were killed by a rowdy mob. Two Sanyasis and their driver identified as Shri
Chikane Maharaj Kalpavrikshgiri (70), Shri Sushil Giri Maharaj (35), driver
Shri. Nilesh Telgade.
3.
Initially, it was
narrated that the incident was occurred due to rumours. On the same line, the
Hon’ble Chief Minister and the Hon’ble Home Minister had given statements.
However, videos which went viral on social media clearly show that police
personnel were present at the time of the incident remained as silent
spectators. The social and mainstream media saw a sharp reaction from the
public after seeing the helpless situation of the Sadhus in saffron seeking help
in the viral videos of the incident.
4.
The members of the
‘Vivek Vichar Manch’ approached to the prominent people of Palghar, Talasri and
some tribal organisations of the region about this incident; they revealed that
such incidents are happening in this area since many years. In view of this, it
was decided to set up a Fact-Finding Committee under the chairmanship of
Justice Shri Ambadasji Joshi, retired Judge of the Bombay High Court.
5.
Due to the ‘lockdown’ in
the district Palghar, all members of the committee could not visit the place of
the incident. However, some local members and journalists visited Gadchinchale
and surrounding area. They interacted with various tribal activists and Chitra
Chaudhary, the sarpanch of that village Gdachinchale.
6.
The revelations emerging
from the available information is quite shocking. The tribals are originally
peace-loving and reverential to Hindu customs and traditions; how did the
Tribals become so cruel? Why did they ruthlessly kill these two sadhus wearing
saffron clothes? We found these prima facie answers during the enquiry.
7.
The police
administration had claimed that a rumour was spread that the Sadhus were
thieves or kidnappers who are stealing kidneys and that is why the mob attacked
and killed them. However, this claim of the police administration appears to be
incorrect. The Sarpanch of Karsgaon, Shri Luis Kakad, who lodged a police
complaint, says that the same rumour like village Gadchinchale spread in other
villages.
8.
The left-wing
organisations working in the area are creating hatred in the minds of Adivasis,
against Government, and Hindu religious leaders, sadhus and sanyasis. Prima
facie, the content of the material available in the public domain, suggests
that these organisations indulged into anti-government and anti-Hindu
activities.
The growing violence in the area with the
increasing influence of organisations like Catholic Bishop’s Conference of
India, Kashtakari Sanghatana, Bhumisena, Adivasi Ekta Parishad, CPM prima facie
suggests to have culminated into the incident.
9.
There are four factors
which are impacting in Palghar region –
a.
Anti-constitutional
Activities
b.
Anti-democratic
Activities
c.
Anti-development
Activities
d.
Anti-Hindu atmosphere
10. Anti-Constitutional Activities
The district Palghar is tribal-dominated and
become a stronghold of many organisations working under the pretext of tribals.
Shri Padeep Prabhu and his associates Shri Brion Lobo, Smt Shiraz Balsara have
built up the large network of Kashtakari Sanghatana. So-called tribal activists
of this district such as Pradeep Prabhu claiming that the tribals have their
hundred years old written constitution, you will find videos of such claims on
YouTube. There are videos available on YouTube which show anti-constitutional
activities within the region. On the line of Naxal lead Patthalgarhi movement
in Jharkhand, the Chikhale Grampanchayat passed a similar resolution in Gram
Sabha in May 2017. The member of the Adivasi Ekta Parishad has played importent
role for passing such resolution.
11. Anti-democratic
Activities:
During the election period, public
representatives, who are not leftists, are attacked. People are intimidated to
participate in gatherings and rallies. Any opposition results into the burning
of their houses, damaging their vehicles, destroying their livestock and pets,
etc. Such incidents occur regularly. During the term of ex-MLA Lahanu Kome,
many such violent incidents were
reported in large number.
12. Anti-Development
Activities
The organisations are consistently opposing the
projects of Bullate Train and of Mumbai – Vadodara Highway Project, in the
guise of protecting the interest of Adivasis.
13. Anti-Hindu Atmosphere
The material suggests that there is a conspiracy
to divide the tribals from Hindu traditions which appear to be supported by the
Christian missionaries. The propaganda is spread amongst the Adivasis that ‘The
deities of the Hindus and Hindu traditions are not of Adivasis.’ They oppose
Hindu Gods, and varkari practices. Such anti-Hindu activities are causing
hatred against Hindus. Fr Nicholas Barla and other Christian missionaries
participate in tribal annual gatherings.
Anti Hindu activists like Kaluram Dhodade of
Adivasi Ekta Parishad spread hatred amongst the Adivasis. In Adivasi culture
there are number of evidences which show that Adivasi worships God Ram, Ganpati
and other Hindu Gods as evident in any other Hindu sects. However, deleberatley
it is spread that Ram is not Adivasi God but Ravan is Adivasi God. By negative
approach towards Hindu Traditions people are instigated to become violent
causes friction amongst the Adivasis. There are incidences which opposed
Harinam Saptah, opposition to immolate effigy of Ravan at Jawhar. With the use
of social media divisive videos causing hatred against Hindus are spread on
regular basis.
14. After considering the available material
referred to in the report, there is a possibility of Naxal like activities
creating law and order situations by anti-social elements within the area
located near the economic capital of the country. As in Naxal-affected areas
such as Gadchiroli, Tripura, West Bengal, people with opposing views based on
violence are eliminated, similar incidents are being carried out in District
Palghar for the last 40 years. The present incident invited the attention of
the entire country as the deceased were Sadhus, however many such violent
attacks were carried out in this area. Since inception due to the stand of the
government, the investigation is misled and prima facie appears to be
incorrectly handled by the Police department and CID. Therefore, we recommend
that the responsibility for the inquiry of this matter should be entrusted to
‘NIA’ and ‘CBI’.
15. The recommendation is based on the following
reasons:
a.
All the police officers
and police personnel of the Kasa Police station immediately transferred to
other police station, and five of them were suspended. This creates doubt as to
the role of police machinery.
b.
The Hon’ble Chief
Minister and the Hon’ble Home Minister have made statements prima facie
influencing the investigation. The person who referred to as Dada during the
lynching incident is connected to the ruling political party. Shri. Kashinath
Chaudhari was present at the time of incident, however, he has not made any
attempt to Save Sadhus from mob lynching. Rather there is strong doubt that he
brought many people to the place of incident. Same person accompanied by
Hon’ble Home Minister during his official visit to Gadchinchale. Therefore,
there is doubt as to unbiased investigation by the State Government.
c.
The incident took place
at Dadra Nagar Haveli and the State of Maharashtra. Therefore, this is an
inter-State incident. On this background, it may take a longer time to search
for the answers of questions raised due to the occurrence of the incident.
d.
It is necessary to investigate
as to the relationship between other states of the organisations run by the
Leftist and the tribals in Palghar District. Otherwise, the situation in the
region will be as violent as that of Gadchiroli or other Naxal-affected areas
in the coming times.
16.
The present incident of
Sadhu’s lynching is a tip of iceberg. It is necessary to investigate the real
intentions of the organisations in Palghar and Thane district working under the
different names. The roots of these organisations must be revealed and the real
accused needs to be find out. It is necessary to have thorough investigation as
to the activities of the organisations, the foreign aids of these
organisations, donations to these organisations. There is strong necessity to
have long term steps after an enquiry. Prima facie the members of these
organizations are responsible for
violence, anti development and anti-constitutional activities. As of now those
Adivasis are arrested by Police, real culprits may be find out and the innocent
Adivasi may be released.
17. By a resolution dated 22nd April 2020 which was
adopted by the Trustees of Vivek Vichar Manch, a ‘Fact-Finding Committee’ was
constituted to conduct an enquiry into the matter. The Committee comprises of
following members:
i.
Justice Shri. Ambadas
Joshi, Retd. High Court Judge, (Chairman)
ii.
Shri. Samir Kamble,
Advocate (Member Secretory)
iii.
Shri. Pravartak Pathak,
Advocate, High Court. (Joint Secretory)
iv.
Shri. Kiran Shelar,
Editor at Mumbai Tarun Bharat,
v.
Shri. Santosh Janathe,
Activist in Palghar District
vi.
Shri. Lakshman Kharpade,
Retd. Asst. Commissioner of Police.
vii.
Smt. Maya Potdar, MSW,
Social Worker
This
press note has been released by Adv. Sameer Kamble, Mo- 8108889733 (Member
Secretary) for Vivek Vichar Manch.
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