Ajay Kumar at 18:34, 23 July 2023

2023-07-23T18:34:59Z

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{{short description|Event in Pune, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox civil conflict
| title = 2018 Dalit protests in Maharashtra<br>Bhima Koregaon protests
| image =
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| date = 1 January 2018
| place = [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|18|38|44|N|074|03|33|E|display=inline,title}}
| causes =
| goals =
| methods = [[Protesting]], [[rock throwing]], [[arson]], [[mobbing]]
| status =
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| casualties1 =
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| injuries = 35
| fatalities = 2
| arrests = 300
| detentions =

| charged =
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| notes =
| map_type =India Maharashtra
| map_label =
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}}
The '''2018 Bhima Koregaon violence''' refers to violence during an annual celebratory gathering on 1 January 2018 at [[Koregaon Bhima|Bhima Koregaon]] to mark the 200th anniversary of the [[Battle of Koregaon|Battle of Bhima Koregaon]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/understanding-bhima-koregaon/article22361017.ece|title=Understanding Bhima Koregaon|last=Pol|first=Prabodhan|date=2018-01-04|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-09-01|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The violence and stone pelting by crowd on the gathering resulted in death of a 28-year old youth and injury to five others.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/violence-in-maharashtra-as-dalits-protest-death-of-28-year-old-in-bhima-koregaon-clashes/story-zerVWqrSjLjF2x53oHMVXL.html|title=Dalits protest death of 28-year-old in Bhima Koregaon clashes|date=2018-01-02|work=Hindustantimes|access-date=2018-01-02|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The annual celebration, also called [[Shaniwarwada Elgar Parishad|Elgar Parishad]] convention, was organised by retired justices [[B. G. Kolse Patil]]<ref name="TW01">{{cite web |last1=Staff |first1=The Wire |title='Pune ATS Spreading Panic in My Neighbourhood': Justice (Retd) B. G. Kolse Patil |url=https://thewire.in/rights/pune-ats-justice-retd-bg-kolse-patil |access-date=25 October 2020 |website=The Wire |publisher=The Wire}}</ref> and [[P. B. Sawant]].<ref name="FL">{{cite web |last1=Katakam |first1=Anupama |title=Elgar Parishad case: Victims of vendetta |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/the-nation/victims-of-vendetta/article32298401.ece |website=Frontline |date=22 August 2020 |access-date=25 October 2020}}</ref> Justice Sawant stated that the term "Elgar" meant loud invitation or loud declaration.<ref name=Scroll/>

== Historical background ==
=== Battle of Bhima Koregaon ===
The 1818 [[Battle of Koregaon]] is of importance for Dalits. On 1 January 1818, 800 troops of the [[East India Company]]'s [[Bombay Presidency Army]], A victory pillar (''Vijay Sthamb'') was erected in Koregaon by the British, commemorating the dead soldiers. In 1928, [[B. R. Ambedkar]] led the first commemoration ceremony here. Since then, on 1 January every year, Ambedkarites gather at Bhima Koregaon to celebrate their victory against the upper caste [[Peshwa]] regime of the [[Maratha Empire]], whom they see as their oppressors.<ref name="News18">[https://www.news18.com/news/india/bhima-koregaon-how-and-why-the-january-violence-snowballed-into-arrest-of-rights-activists-1860141.html Bhima Koregaon: How and Why the January Violence Snowballed Into Arrest of Rights Activists], News18, 29 August 2018.</ref><ref name="CNN">{{cite web | url=http://edition.cnn.com/2018/01/04/asia/india-dalit-protests-explainer-intl/index.html?sr=fbCNN010518india-dalit-protests-explainer-intl0304PMStory | title=Caste violence erupts in India over 200-year-old faultline | publisher=CNN | date=5 January 2018 | access-date=8 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/monument-at-koregaon-bhimrao-ambedkar-5007929/|title=Monument at Koregaon|date=2018-01-02|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-01-07|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/the-legend-of-the-1818-battle-of-bhima-koregaon/article22352514.ece | title=How a British war memorial became a symbol of Dalit pride | newspaper=The Hindu | date=2 January 2018 | access-date=8 January 2018| last1=Banerjee | first1=Shoumojit }}</ref><ref name=Quint>[https://www.thequint.com/videos/news-videos/history-of-bhima-koregaon-battle Let’s Rewind 200 Years to Understand Bhima Kore Violence], The Quint, 4 January 2018.</ref><ref name=Scroll>Aarefa Johari, Abishek Dey, Mridula Chari & Shone Satheesh, [https://scroll.in/article/892850/from-pune-to-paris-how-a-police-investigation-turned-a-dalit-meeting-into-a-maoist-plot From Pune to Paris: How a police investigation turned a Dalit meeting into a Maoist plot], Scroll.in, 1 September 2018.</ref>

=== Vadhu Budruk trigger ===
According to the facts, [[Emperor Aurangzeb]] killed and mutilated [[Chhatrapati Sambhaji]] Maharaj in 1689. Govind Mahar, from [[Vadhu Budruk]] (a village near Bhima Koregaon) collected the body parts and organised the last rites. The memorial for Sambhaji Maharaj is said to have been constructed by the Dalit Mahars of that village. Soon after, Govind Mahar’s tomb was constructed in the village after his death. But Marathas refused to accept the role played by Govind Mahar and other Mahars in the last rites of Sambhaji Maharaj as Marathas of that village do have surname as Shivle (means Stitched), and were increasingly vocal about in the days prior to the January violence at Bhima Koregaon in 2018. They had specific objection to a sign at the site that acknowledged the contributions of the Mahars.<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/removal-of-dalits-and-marathas-mahar-samadhi-board-near-pune-sparked-clashes-chhatrapati-shivaji-maharaj-bhima-koregaon-5010738/|title=Removal of Mahar samadhi board near Pune sparked clashes|date=2018-01-04|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-09-01|language=en-US}}</ref>

== January 2018 events ==
Prior to the commemoration, about 250 groups of far-left Dalit organizations got together under the banner of "[[Shaniwarwada Elgar Parishad|Elgar Parishad]]" and organised a conference at [[Shaniwar Wada]] in [[Pune]], the erstwhile seat of the Peshwas. The speakers included two retired judges, B.G Kolte-Patil and P. B. Sawant,<ref name="FL" /> and [[Jignesh Mevani]], a newly elected member of the [[Gujarat Legislative Assembly]].

The equating of [[Hindutva]] with the Peshwas is said to have irked the Hindu groups.<ref name=News18/>

On January 1, like every year, Dalit organizations poured into Bhima Koregaon. Tensions had begun to build in a neighbouring village over the question of which community had conducted the last rites of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj – the [[Mahar]] or the [[Maratha (caste)|Maratha]]. The [[Panchayati raj|panchayat]] of Bhima Koregaon issued a notice asking residents to boycott the event by calling for all shops to remain shut that day.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|last=Aarefa Johari|first=Abhishek Dey|title=From Pune to Paris: How a police investigation turned a Dalit meeting into a Maoist plot|url=https://scroll.in/article/892850/from-pune-to-paris-how-a-police-investigation-turned-a-dalit-meeting-into-a-maoist-plot|access-date=2019-04-15|website=Scroll.in|date=2 September 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref>

On January 1, a mob from Vadhu Badruk area attacked the dalits who were going to attend the annual meeting around the Vijay Stambh. This was after orders were given at Sanaswadi Panchayats for complete strike and celebrate 1 January 2018 as black day. It is alleged that hindutva leaders Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide had instigated the mob against the Dalit procession. FIRs were subsequently filed against them but no action was taken by the police against them. <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thewire.in/law/independent-inquiry-pune-police-inaction-bhima-koregaon-violence|title=Independent Inquiry Slams Pune Police for 'Inaction' During Bhima Koregaon Violence }}</ref>
Dalit organizations blocked roads and started demonstrations across Maharashtra<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/maharashtra-tense-a-day-after-clashes-during-bicentenary-celebrations-of-koregaon-bhima-battle/article22352367.ece|title=Protests spread in Maharashtra post clashes during bicentenary celebrations of Bhima-Koregaon battle|last=Banerjee|first=Shoumojit|date=2018-01-02|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-08-31|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Violence was reported across Pune - a 16-year-old boy was killed during the violence.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/maharashtra-bandh-minor-boy-killed-shutdown-called-by-dalit-parties-paralyses-state/1/1123119.html|title=Maharashtra bandh: Minor boy killed as shutdown called by Dalit parties paralyses state|access-date=2018-01-07}}</ref> A [[Maharashtra]] [[bandh]] was called by [[Prakash Ambedkar]] on 3 January 2018. The aftermath consisted of various protests across [[Maharashtra]] resulting in 30 policemen being injured and over 300 people being detained.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/yWNS87nEsn4b2Vb3FSW65N/Maharashtra-protests-Over-30-cops-injured-300-persons-deta.html|title=Maharashtra protests: Over 30 cops injured, 300 persons detained|last=PTI|date=2018-01-04|work=livemint.com/|access-date=2018-01-07}}</ref> Protests were staged all over Maharashtra. In [[Mumbai]], [[Mumbai Suburban Railway|suburban trains]] were affected due to which [[Dabbawala]]s had to suspend their services.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/trains-hit-dabbawalas-suspend-services/article22362150.ece|title=Trains hit, dabbawalas suspend services|last=Srinivasan|first=Madhuvanti|date=2018-01-04|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-01-07|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== Aftermath ==
* On 2 January 2018, an FIR was filed against [[Sambhaji Bhide]] and [[Milind Ekbote]] for instigating violence on Dalits.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.livelaw.in/bhima-koregaon-violence-petition-before-bombay-hc-seeking-arrest-of-sambhaji-bhide/|title=Bhima Koregaon Violence: Petition Before Bombay HC Seeking Arrest Of Sambhaji Bhide |date=2018-08-31|work=Live Law|access-date=2018-08-31|language=en-US}}</ref>
* In February 2018, the [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] criticised the State government and probe agencies for the slow progress in their probe against Milind Ekbote, questioning the agencies’ claims that he was allegedly ‘untraceable’. [[List of chief ministers of Maharashtra|Chief minister]] [[Devendra Fadnavis]] said in the state assembly that the police had raided all hotels and lodges in [[Pune]] and [[Kolhapur]] in search of Ekbote, conducted combing operations, detained his followers and examined more than 100 call records but failed to locate him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/rights/bhima-koregaon-violence-maharashtra-to-withdraw-cases|title=Bhima Koregaon Violence: Maharashtra to Withdraw All Cases Barring Major Ones|website=The Wire|access-date=2018-08-31}}</ref>
* On 14 March 2018, the district rural police of Pune arrested Milind Ekbote. The Supreme Court cancelled his interim bail plea after he did not cooperate with the probe agencies despite five summons for interrogation and refused to hand over his mobile phone.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/bhima-koregaon-violence-prime-accused-milind-ekbote-arrested/article23238860.ece|title=Bhima-Koregaon violence: prime accused Milind Ekbote arrested|last=Banerjee|first=Shoumojit|date=2018-03-14|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-08-31|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/politics/right-wing-leader-milind-ekbote-arrested-after-sc-rejects-his-anticipatory-bail-plea|title=Right-Wing Leader Milind Ekbote Arrested After SC Rejects His Anticipatory Bail Plea|website=The Wire|access-date=2018-08-31}}</ref>
* On 22 April 2018, a nineteen-year-old dalit witness, whose house was burnt in the violence, was found dead in a well. Her family alleged that she was under intense pressure to withdraw her statement.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/pune-news/dalit-girl-witness-to-bhima-koregaon-violence-found-dead-in-well-near-pune-1841886|title=Dalit Girl, Witness To Bhima Koregaon Violence, Found Dead In Well Near Pune|work=NDTV.com|access-date=2018-08-31}}</ref> Her brother, Jaideep, also a witness, had been arrested by Pune Rural Police on charges of attempt to murder.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bhima-koregaon-shadow-over-death-of-dalit-witness-5150637/|title=Bhima Koregaon shadow over death of Dalit witness|date=2018-04-25|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-08-31|language=en-US}}</ref>
* Investigation by the police in the following months resulted in various arrests, such as that of [[Rona Wilson]] in June 2018 under [[Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/bhima-koregaon-how-and-why-the-january-violence-snowballed-into-arrest-of-rights-activists-1860141.html|title=Bhima Koregaon: How and Why the January Violence Snowballed Into Arrest of Rights Activists|work=News18|access-date=2018-09-01}}</ref>
* In August 2018 five activists, including [[Varavara Rao]], [[Arun Ferreira]], [[Sudha Bharadwaj]] and [[Gautam Navlakha]], were picked up in simultaneous raids across the country, the police alleged that the activists had ties to [[Maoists in India|Maoists]], apart from links to the Bhima Koregaon incident.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/bhima-koregaon-violence-probe-police-claim-conclusive-proof-against-activists-seize-letters-planning-big-action-5088531.html|title=Bhima Koregaon violence probe: Police claim conclusive proof against activists, seize 'letters' planning 'big action' - Firstpost|website=firstpost.com| date=31 August 2018 |access-date=2018-09-01}}</ref>
* On January 22, 2020, the newly elected Maharashtra government ordered a probe into the matter, further considering constituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the investigation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Maharashtra Home Minister Seeks Probe Report On Bhima Koregaon Case |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mahashtra-home-minister-anil-deshmukh-seeks-probe-report-on-bhima-koregaon-case-2160935 |website=NDTV |publisher=NDTV |access-date=9 October 2020}}</ref>
* On January 25, 2020, the [[National Investigation Agency]], a central agency governed by the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Union Ministry of Home Affairs]], took over the case from the Maharashtra government. Maharashtra Home Minister [[Anil Deshmukh]], accused the Union Government of not taking the State's consent before taking over the case.<ref>{{cite web |title=NIA takes over Koregaon-Bhima probe, Maharashtra minister Anil Deshmukh hits out at Centre |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/nia-bhima-koregoan-case-elgar-parishad-maharashtra-anil-deshmukh-1639956-2020-01-25 |website=India Today |publisher=India Today |access-date=9 October 2020}}</ref>
* In October 2020, the [[National Investigation Agency|NIA]] released a 10,000 page [[chargesheet]] regarding the incident with fresh names, including [[Stan Swamy]], a [[Society of Jesus|Jesuit]] priest,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gupta |first1=Saurabh |title=NIA Court Rejects Tribal Activist Stan Swamy's Bail Plea |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/nia-court-rejects-tribal-activist-stan-swamys-bail-plea-2314525 |access-date=23 October 2020 |agency=NDTV |date=23 October 2020}}</ref> who the [[National Investigation Agency|NIA]] accused of conspiring to bring together Dalit and Muslim forces to take on what he referred to as the “[[Fascism|fascist]] government” at the Centre. The NIA also accused him of being connected to the banned [[Left-wing terrorism|left-wing militant]] organisation, [[Communist Party of India (Maoist)|CPI (Maoist)]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sandhu|first=Kamaljit Kaur|title=This is what NIA's Bhima Koregaon chargesheet says about Stan Swamy|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/this-is-what-nia-s-bhima-koregaon-chargesheet-says-about-stan-swamy-1731272-2020-10-13|date=2020-10-13|access-date=2020-10-13|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref>
* A report by Arsenal Consulting, a digital forensics firm based out of Massachusetts, said the incriminating evidence against Rona Wilson was placed on his laptop by a yet-to-be-identified attacker using a malware while his laptop was compromised for over 22 months.<ref>{{cite news |title=They were accused of plotting to overthrow the Modi government. The evidence was planted, new report says. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/india-bhima-koregaon-activists-jailed/2021/02/10/8087f172-61e0-11eb-a177-7765f29a9524_story.html |access-date=11 February 2021 |agency=The Washington Post |date=10 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Evidence planted in Bhima Koregaon accused Rona Wilson's computer: US firm |url=https://m.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/evidence-planted-in-bhima-koregaon-accused-rona-wilsons-computer-us-firm-210831 |access-date=11 February 2021 |agency=The Tribune |date=11 February 2021}}</ref>

== Fact finding commission ==
In February 2018, The Maharashtra Home Department set up a fact finding Commission. This Commission became operational in September 2018 and consisted of former [[Calcutta High Court]] chief justice JN Patel and state Chief Information Commissioner Sumit Mullick.<ref name="mm01">{{cite news |last1=Ganapatye |first1=Shruti |title=Bhima Koregaon commission to 'wind up'? |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/crime/bhima-koregaon-commission-to-wind-up/articleshow/76458581.cms |access-date=1 November 2020 |agency=Mumbai Mirror |date=19 June 2020}}</ref> The tenure of the Commission expired on 8 April 2020 and they had requested for a six month extension.

== Arrests ==
* 8 June 2018: [[Pune Police]] arrested [[Surendra Gadling]], [[Sudhir Dhawale]], [[Rona Wilson]], [[Shoma Sen]] and [[Mahesh Raut]] with alleged Maoist links for inciting riots.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bhima-Koregaon violence: Police arrest 5 with alleged Maoist links for inciting riots |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bhima-koregaon-violece-lawyer-3-others-with-alleged-maoist-links-arrested-professor-s-house-searched/story-yfDDMI6zOdESFRsQtRP0IM.html |access-date=30 October 2018 |work=hindustantimes.com/ |date=6 June 2018 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Activists case: Pune police gets 90 more days for probe - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/activists-case-pune-police-gets-90-more-days-for-probe/articleshow/66422775.cms |access-date=30 October 2018 |work=The Times of India}}</ref>
* 28 August 2018: the Pune police carried out searches of nine rights activists, and arrested five of them. Those arrested include activists [[Varavara Rao]], lawyer [[Sudha Bharadwaj]], and activists [[Arun Ferreira]], [[Gautam Navlakha]] and Vernon Gonsalves.<ref>[https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/activists-arrested-in-raids-in-many-cities-in-connection-with-caste-violence-in-maharashtras-bhima-k-1907380 After Arrest Of Activists Over "Maoist Plot", A Midnight Drama: 10 Facts], NDTV News, 29 August 2018.</ref> The Supreme Court ordered them to be placed under "house arrest".<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bhima-koregaon-violence-case-five-activists-will-remain-under-house-arrest-till-september-17-says-supreme-court-5352176/|title=Bhima Koregaon violence case: Five activists will remain under house arrest till September 17, says SC|date=2018-09-12|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-09-12|language=en-US}}</ref> On 10 August 2022, the Supreme Court granted bail to Varavara Rao on medical grounds.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/supreme-court-grants-medical-bail-to-varavara-rao-in-bhima-koregaon-case-deletes-hc-condition-to-surrender-after-3-months-206173|title=Supreme Court Grants Bail To Varavara Rao On Medical Grounds In Bhima Koregaon Case, Deletes HC Condition To Surrender After 3 Months|date=2022-08-10|access-date=2022-08-15}}</ref>
*12 September 2018: The Supreme Court extends the "house arrest" until 17 September 2018.<ref name=":3" />
*28 September 2018: The Supreme Court extends the house arrest by another four weeks, but declined the appointment of a special investigation team.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/koregaon-bhima-case-sc-refuses-to-interfere-with-arrests-of-five-activists/articleshow/65990909.cms|title=Bhima-Koregaon case: Supreme Court refuses to interfere with arrests of five activists|last=Rautray|first=Samanwaya|date=2018-09-28|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2018-09-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bhima-koregaon-case-live-updates-supreme-court-likely-to-pronounce-verdict-in-activists-arrest-1923585|title=Supreme Court Extends Activists' House Arrest By 4 Weeks: LIVE Updates|work=NDTV.com|access-date=2018-09-28}}</ref>
*26 October 2018: The police had arrested accused Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves. Another accused Sudha Bharadwaj was taken into custody the next day.
*On the night of 17 November 2018: The Pune police arrested activist Varvara Rao.
*According to police, all the arrested activists had links with the Maoists, who backed Elgar Parishad event held in Pune on 31 December 2017. Police claimed that Elgar Parishad led to the violence at Koregaon Bhima war memorial on 1 January 2018 when thousands of people gathered here to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon.
*The police also filed a chargesheet against 10 people including five rights activists just around a week ago from Rao's arrest. it claimed that the December 31 event was organised as per a plan by the banned CPI(Maoist), to mobilise Dalit groups and other organisations against the ruling establishment. It said that inciting speeches at the event provoked the masses and aggravated violence in Bhima Koregaon on 1 January 2018. According to the police document, activists and others are active members of CPI (Maoist). Also, there was also a plot to assassinate [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]], it claimed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/bhima-koregaon-case-activist-varavara-rao-taken-arrested-from-hyderabad/1385159/|title=Bhima Koregaon case: Activist Varavara Rao arrested from Hyderabad|date=November 18, 2018}}</ref>
*On 14 April 2020, the 129th birth anniversary of [[B. R. Ambedkar|Dr Ambedkar]], his grandson-in-law, [[Anand Teltumbde]] was arrested by the NIA in connection with the case. A week before his arrest on April 8, The [[Supreme Court of India]] denied him anticipatory bail.<ref>{{Cite web|last=MN|first=Parth|title=India arrests activist Anand Teltumbde over 2018 caste violence|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/4/14/india-arrests-activist-anand-teltumbde-over-2018-caste-violence|access-date=2020-10-14|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}</ref> It was later revealed by the NIA that Anand Teltumbde along with his associates, were in contact with RDF (banned terrorist organisation in [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Telangana]]) and CPI(Maoist), and organised weapons and explosive training for the militants in Korchi forest area of [[Maharashtra]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-14|title=Bhima Koregaon: Milind Teltumbde organised weapons training in forests, says NIA|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/bhima-koregaon-milind-teltumbde-organised-weapons-training-in-forests/23041297|access-date=2020-10-15|website=mid-day|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Bhima Koregaon: Teltumbde organised weapons training in forests|url=https://www.sify.com/news/bhima-koregaon-teltumbde-organised-weapons-training-in-forests-news-national-ukonkwedfabfg.html|access-date=2020-10-15|website=[[Sify]]|language=en}}{{dead link|date=September 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
*On 9 October 2020, the [[National Investigation Agency|NIA]] arrested 83-year-old [[Stan Swamy]] in connection with the case. The NIA alleged that the Persecuted Prisoners Solidarity Committee (PPSC) co-convened by Swamy and [[Sudha Bharadwaj]] was a front for Maoists.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-09|title=In 10,000-page chargsheet, NIA names 8 accused in Elgar Parishad case|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/elghar-parishad-case-nia-files-charge-sheet-against-seven-accused/story-SQVhHaoAlQs1z3VCl7T5NL.html|access-date=2020-10-13|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-09|title=NIA arrests activist Stan Swamy in Bhima-Koregaon violence case|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nia-arrests-activist-stan-swamy-in-bhima-koregaon-violence-case/story-asJbYzvxNETfZ2qZGR0V9M.html|access-date=2020-10-13|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>

In December 2022, Sub-Divisional Police Officer Ganesh More admitted that the Elgar Parishad event had no role in the violence in an oath before the judicial commission investigating the case.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shantha |first1=Sukanya |title=Top Investigating Officer Admits Elgar Parishad Event 'Had No Role' in Bhima Koregaon Violence |url=https://thewire.in/government/elgar-parishad-bhima-koregaon-connection |access-date=2022-12-27 |work=[[The Wire (India)]] |date=2022-12-27}}</ref>

== Independent reports ==
An [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] backed think tank called Forum for Integrated National Security (FINS), mainly consisting of retired army officers, released a report on the Bhima Koregaon riots. The report absolved the BJP corporator Milind Ekbote and RSS worker Sambhaji Bhide from direct involvement. Instead, it blamed [[Communist Party of India (Maoist)|Maoists]] (ultra left-wing organisations) for instigating the Dalit activists. It also blamed the [[Maharashtra Police]] for "apathy" and overlooking evidence.<ref name="free">Vivek Bhavsar, [http://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/bhima-koregaon-violence-rss-linked-committee-blames-police-apathy/1230726 Bhima-Koregaon violence: RSS-linked committee blames police apathy], The Free Press Journal, 3 March 2018.</ref><ref name="Chari">Mridula Chari, [https://scroll.in/article/892586/a-month-before-police-raids-security-think-tank-report-alleged-maoist-link-to-bhima-koregaon-events Bhima Koregaon case: A curiously prescient report puts focus on a Mumbai security think tank], Scroll.in, 31 August 2018.</ref><ref>[https://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/the-interviews-blog/maoists-call-urban-mass-organisations-weapons-battle-is-for-control-of-civil-society-through-subversion/ ‘Maoists call urban mass organisations weapons … battle is for control of civil society through subversion’ (Interview of Smita Gaikwad)], The Times of India, The Interviews Blog, 2 May 2018.</ref><ref name="gunning">Kiran Tare, [https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/special-report/story/20180521-maharashtra-police-gadchiroli-huge-losses-insurgents-maoists-1231730-2018-05-10 Gunning for Maoists], India Today, 10 May 2018.</ref> Analysis shows that the Pune police made claims in Court which resemble the FINS report.<ref name="scroll">{{cite web |last1=Chari |first1=Mridula |title=Bhima Koregaon case: A curiously prescient report puts focus on a Mumbai security think tank |url=https://scroll.in/article/892586/a-month-before-police-raids-security-think-tank-report-alleged-maoist-link-to-bhima-koregaon-events |website=Scroll |date=31 August 2018 |access-date=31 October 2020}}</ref> In contrast, the report by the multi-member "fact finding committee" led by deputy mayor Siddharth Dhende submitted that right-wing activists Sambhaji Bhide and Milind Ekbote had pre-planned the entire violence.<ref name="PTI02">{{cite news |title=Bhima-Koregaon Violence Was "Pre-Planned", Says Pune Committee |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bhima-koregaon-violence-was-pre-planned-says-pune-committee-1915084 |access-date=1 November 2020 |agency=PTI |date=11 September 2018}}</ref> The report by the Rashtra [[Seva Dal]] (RSD) questioned how the right wing activists who were initially named in the FIR were still able to give interviews while a divisive environment was being created. The RSD also called for a judicial enquiry to hold the administration accountable for any lapses.<ref name="kractivist">{{cite web |title=Fact finding report of Bhima Koregaon Violence by Rashtra Seva Dal |url=https://kractivist.org/fact-finding-report-of-bhima-koregaon-violence-by-rashtra-seva-dal/ |website=Kractivist |date=13 January 2018 |access-date=1 November 2020}}</ref>

Forensic analysis by Arsenal Consulting, a Massachusetts-based digital forensics firm, revealed that incriminating evidence, including the letter to assassinate the prime minister [[Narendra Modi]], found on Surendra Gadling and Rona Wilson's computers was planted there by an attacker by the use of phishing email. Security firm SentinelOne said that they have found a 'provable connection' between the evidence fabrication to the Pune police.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Masih |first1=Niha |last2=Slater |first2=Joanna |title=Evidence found on a second Indian activist's computer was planted, report says |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/07/06/bhima-koregaon-case-india/ |access-date=2022-09-11 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=2021-07-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Greenberg |first1=Andy |title=Police Linked to Hacking Campaign to Frame Indian Activists |url=https://www.wired.com/story/modified-elephant-planted-evidence-hacking-police/ |access-date=2022-09-11 |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |date=2022-06-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Team |first1=NL |title=Pune police planted false evidence on computers of Bhima Koregoan accused: Wired report |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2022/06/17/pune-police-planted-false-evidence-on-computers-of-bhima-koregoan-accused-wired-report |access-date=2022-09-11 |work=[[Newslaundry]] |date=2022-06-17}}</ref> The Washington Post reported in December 2022 that hackers had planted evidence on Stan Swamy's computer as well.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/12/13/stan-swamy-hacked-bhima-koregaon/|title=Hackers planted evidence of on computer of jailed Indian activist, report says|first=Niha|last=Masih|date=13 December 2022|access-date=13 December 2022|newspaper=The Washington Post|language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reservation in India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dalit protests in Maharashtra, 2018}}
[[Category:2018 in India]]
[[Category:2018 protests]]
[[Category:January 2018 events in India]]
[[Category:Riots and civil disorder in India|Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Protests in India]]
[[Category:Dalit politics|2018 protests]]
[[Category:Dalit history|2018 protests]]
[[Category:History of Maharashtra (1947–present)]]
[[Category:Caste-related violence in India]]

2018 Bhima Koregaon violence - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 18:34, 23 July 2023