Posted by Bhima Koregaon Violence NCP chief Sharad Pawar has submitted an affidavit to the Koregaon-Bhima Inquiry Commission. According to which he has no allegation against any political agenda in relation to the January 2018 violence at a war memorial in Pune district.
Mumbai, Pretr. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar in Maharashtra has submitted an affidavit to the Koregaon-Bhima Inquiry Commission. According to which, he has no allegation against any political agenda in relation to the January 2018 violence at a war memorial in Pune district. He sought to repeal the sedition provision of the Indian Penal Code or to prevent its misuse. Pawar filed an additional affidavit before the probe panel on April 11, a copy of which was made available on Thursday. He had earlier submitted an affidavit before the commission on October 8, 2018. The commission on Wednesday issued summons to Pawar asking him to appear on May 5 and 6 to record evidence. Pawar, in his additional affidavit, reiterated that he had no personal knowledge of the events leading to the January 1, 2018 incident at the Koregaon-Bhima War Memorial in Pune. I have no allegation against any political agenda or motive behind this incident, the affidavit said. However, Pawar demanded changes in the legal system in view of the ever-changing socio-economic and political conditions in the country. The NCP chief said the law of the land is dynamic and not static, whose party currently shares power with the Shiv Sena and Congress in Maharashtra.
Abuse of section 124A should be stopped
Sharad Pawar said in his affidavit that the misuse of section 124A of the Indian Penal Code related to sedition should be stopped with amendments or the said section should be repealed. Sharad Pawar said in the affidavit that Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with sedition, was inserted by the British in 1870 to control the rebellion against him and suppress the independence movements. However, in recent times this section has often been misused against those who criticize the government. Thus suppressing their freedom and suppressing any voice of dissent raised in a peaceful and democratic manner. Seeking repeal of the section, Pawar said, “I have a reason to say so, as the provisions of the IPC and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) are sufficient to protect it.” The senior politician also called for amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), to empower police and executive magistrates to control riot-like situation and maintain law and order. In his affidavit, Pawar said there is a need to protect the police and executive magistrates from any political interference by the state government or the central government in such situations. The NCP chief also demanded stringent punishment for those arrested for disturbing public peace and law and order. Pawar asked for surveillance of internet media and amendment in Information Technology Act due to rising posts with fake propaganda.
Know, what is the Bhima-Koregaon case
The Koregaon-Bhima inquiry panel had earlier summoned Sharad Pawar in 2020, but he could not appear before it due to the lockdown due to Corona virus. Pawar was later issued another summons to appear before the commission on February 23 and 24 this year, but had sought a fresh date saying he wanted to file an additional affidavit before recording his testimony. Huh. In February 2020, Sagar Shinde, a member of the social group Vivek Vichar Manch, filed an application before the commission, seeking to summon Pawar in the wake of certain statements made by him in the media about the 2018 caste violence. The two-member inquiry commission includes retired Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court JN Patel and former Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sumit Malik. According to the Pune Police, violence broke out between caste groups near the War Memorial in Pune district on January 1, 2018, during the bicentenary of the 1818 Battle of Koregaon-Bhima. One person was killed and several others, including 10 policemen, were injured in the incident. The Pune Police had alleged that provocative speeches at the Elgar Parishad conference held in Pune on December 31, 2017 led to violence near Koregaon-Bhima. The police claimed that the organizers of the Elgar Parishad conference had links with Maoists.