State-level public meeting in Mumbai condemns alleged police brutality, calls for constitutional protection

By Harsh Thakor* 

A massive state-level public meeting was held at a maidan near VT Terminus in Mumbai on March 3rd to address concerns over the preservation of the Indian Constitution and to oppose what was described as a rising neo-fascist threat. The gathering condemned the alleged custodial death of Soman Suryavanshi, a third-year law student, at Parbhani police station, as well as the passing of Vijay Wakode, a senior activist involved in the Ambedkarite movement in Parbhani. The event drew more than 2,000 participants from across Maharashtra, including Nashik, Jalna, Aurangabad, Parbhani, and Mumbai, with political parties and individuals supporting constitutional values in attendance.

Organizers planned to march to Mantralaya but were stopped by the police. Instead, a delegation of 25 representatives proceeded to Mantralaya to present their demands. The protest was sparked by the alleged vandalism of the Indian Constitution by a casteist organization on December 10, 2024, which led to a peaceful bandh called by the Bheem Army. Following the bandh, police reportedly conducted a lathi charge on returning protestors, including elderly individuals and students, and targeted vehicles associated with Ambedkarite symbols. Reports indicated that a combing operation took place in Dalit localities, where police allegedly entered homes, assaulted residents, and destroyed property while using caste-based abuse.

When individuals attempted to file an FIR, they were allegedly beaten and forcibly taken to the police station. Soman Suryavanshi was reportedly arrested and tortured in a section of the police station without functional CCTV cameras. He was not provided medical attention and later died. Protesters raised slogans against caste-based oppression and police brutality, advocating for unity among Dalits, tribals, workers, farmers, students, and marginalized communities.

Key demands included action against Sopen Pawar for allegedly vandalizing the Constitution, booking police officers under Section 302 for Soman Suryavanshi’s death, a judicial inquiry into the incident, compensation of Rs. 1 crore each for the families of Suryavanshi and Wakode, and withdrawal of cases against innocent Bheem Sainiks. Additionally, compensation and medical reimbursement were sought for those injured during the police action, and officers involved in the violence were demanded to be charged under the Atrocities Act. Protesters also called for a review of CCTV footage from relevant locations to monitor alleged police misconduct.

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*Freelance journalist