Mumbai, India: The Bombay High Court is currently looking into a case involving Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vikram Pawaskar, who has been accused of inciting communal tensions in the Satara and Sangli districts of western Maharashtra. Despite evidence of hate speeches, public incitement of communal tension, and his alleged involvement in a violent attack on a mosque, the police have failed to take action against him.
The case was brought before the court by rights activist Shakir Islal Tamboli, who filed a writ petition after the Maharashtra police neglected to address the situation. Represented by senior advocate Mihir Desai, Tamboli’s petition highlights events where Pawaskar allegedly incited Hindu youth in the region.
During a recent hearing, the public prosecutor representing the Satara police issued a clean chit to Pawaskar in response to the observations made by the court regarding the lack of action taken against him. However, advocate Abhinav Chandrachud’s attempt to intervene on behalf of Pawaskar was rejected by the court due to the absence of an intervention application.
Pawaskar, a prominent figure in the BJP, has gained influence in western Maharashtra and is being positioned as the new face of Hindutva in the region, following in the footsteps of leader Manohar alias Sambhaji Bhide. Tamboli, who closely monitors disruptive Hindutva groups in the region, has raised concerns about organizations making inflammatory speeches and provoking violence against the Muslim community with impunity.
Despite repeated warnings to the police about potential communal flare-ups, no action was taken when Pawaskar delivered hate-filled speeches against the Muslim community. Even after a mosque was attacked, resulting in a fatality and several injuries, the police hesitated to take appropriate action and did not initially include the criminal conspiracy in the charges.
Amidst the escalating tensions, witnesses have come forward to provide detailed accounts of Pawaskar’s direct involvement in the attacks, yet the police have not formally accused him in the case. This case raises concerns about the role of the police in addressing communal tensions and the need for effective measures to prevent further violence.