NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar visited Massajog village in Beed district on Saturday to meet the grieving family of Santosh Deshmukh, a sarpanch brutally murdered on December 9.
The veteran leader later addressed a press conference in Nandkheda, Parbhani, after meeting the family of Somnath Suryawanshi, a Dalit law student who died in judicial custody following protests against the desecration of a statue of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Pawar’s visits are an indicator of what the NCP (SP)’s role will look like in the opposition after the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha election results last month. The party’s commitment to remain vocal on issues was highlighted by the presence of several senior leaders, including former minister Rajesh Tope, Beed MP Bajrang Sonawane, Beed MLA Sandeep Kshirsagar, Ahilyanagar MP Nilesh Lanke, and Rajya Sabha MP Fauzia Khan.
Pawar expressed deep concern over the brutal murder of Santosh Deshmukh, who was killed after intervening in hooliganism and extortion at a wind power plant company. According to local reports, Deshmukh was tortured, his eyes burned, and brutally beaten with iron rods, leading to his death.
Speaking in Beed, Pawar said, “An atmosphere of fear is being created here. We will all counter this collectively. I assure you that we will not rest until the state and central governments give justice to the family.”
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced a judicial probe and the transfer of Beed Superintendent of Police Avinash Bargal, but Pawar criticized the government’s response as insufficient. “No amount of compensation can bring back a life or erase the grief of the family. The responsibility for the education of their children is ours. We will ensure they are not alone in this fight for justice,” he added. Pawar commended Beed MP Bajrang Sonawane for raising the murder of Santosh Deshmukh in the Lok Sabha, where his speech left the house “stunned.”
Similarly, in the Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha, MLAs Sandeep Kshirsagar and Jitendra Awhad demanded justice for both Deshmukh and Suryawanshi, emphasizing that the fight against injustice must transcend caste and community lines.
In the case of Parbhani, unrest began on December 15 when a memorial dedicated to the Constitution of India was vandalized, leading to peaceful protests by Dalits. The protests were met with severe police action, during which Somnath Suryawanshi, a 35-year-old law student, was detained. Suryawanshi later died in custody, sparking outrage across the state. The official autopsy report cited “shock due to multiple injuries” as the cause of death, contradicting government claims that Suryawanshi suffered from pre-existing health issues.
His family alleges he was beaten by over 30 individuals while in custody and had no prior health concerns. “This was a peaceful protest. Why was violence used against protestors? I do not find this acceptable,” said Pawar while addressing hundreds of activists and citizens gathered at the statue of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar in Parbhani.
“The evidence presented by the family will be taken to the Chief Minister and other authorities. Justice for Somnath’s death is non-negotiable,” he added. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has initiated a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the incident, suspended a police sub-inspector, and placed another officer on leave. However, Pawar stressed that more accountability is needed.