Mumbai: Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is set to visit Parbhani, Maharashtra, on Monday, December 23, to meet the family of Somnath Vyankat Suryawanshi, a Dalit youth who died under mysterious circumstances while in judicial custody.
Gandhi will arrive in Nanded by a special flight on Monday afternoon before heading to Parbhani to extend condolences to Suryawanshi’s family.
Somnath Suryawanshi, 35, belonged to the Wadar community and was one of approximately 300 individuals detained after violence erupted in Parbhani following the desecration of a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar near the Parbhani Railway Station on December 10. The incident, allegedly perpetrated by a “mentally disturbed” individual named Sopan Pawar, sparked widespread unrest.
Amid the turmoil, police detained or arrested several individuals, primarily from the Dalit community, including Suryawanshi, on December 12.
The circumstances surrounding Suryawanshi’s death have raised serious concerns, with activists and community leaders demanding an impartial investigation into the matter. The incident has drawn attention to the treatment of Dalit detainees and the handling of sensitive cases by law enforcement.
Rahul Gandhi’s visit is seen as a show of solidarity with the Dalit community and a call for justice for Suryawanshi and his family. The visit is expected to amplify demands for accountability in the case and address the growing tensions in the region following the incident.
Further developments in the case and the outcomes of Gandhi’s visit will be closely watched as the situation continues to unfold.
