Rahul Gandhi Meets Somnath Suryawanshi’s Family, Blames Police for Death in Custody

New Delhi/Parbhani, 23rd December 2024: Indian National Congress MP Rahul Gandhi today stated that Somnath Suryawanshi’s death was a result of his Dalit identity and his efforts to protect the Constitution, following the desecration of its replica in Maharashtra’s Parbhani.

Gandhi, after meeting Suryawanshi’s family, accused the police of killing him in what he termed a “cent per cent custodial death.” The Congress leader alleged that Suryawanshi’s family had shown him post-mortem reports, photos, and videos to support their claim.

The incident took place after a glass-enclosed replica of the Constitution near Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Statue in Parbhani was vandalized on 10th December. Suryawanshi, aged 35 and a resident of Shankar Nagar in Parbhani, was among over 50 people arrested in connection with the violence.

He died on 15th December in a state-run hospital after complaining of chest pain while in judicial custody at Parbhani District Central Prison.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has called for a judicial inquiry into the Parbhani violence. In the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Fadnavis stated that Suryawanshi had told a magistrate he was not tortured, and that CCTV footage showed no signs of brutality.

After meeting the family, Gandhi insisted, “The young man was killed because he was a Dalit and was protecting the Constitution. This was a custodial death. The police have murdered him.” He also accused the Chief Minister of lying in the Assembly to protect the police, while charging that the RSS ideology sought to undermine the Constitution.

Gandhi demanded justice for the incident, saying, “This is not politics; this is a murder, and action must be taken.” When asked who was responsible for the Parbhani violence, he blamed the prevailing ideology, adding that since the Chief Minister had spoken on the issue, he too was accountable.

Later, Gandhi met with the family of Vijay Wakode, who died during a protest in Parbhani following the violence.

Gandhi arrived at Nanded airport from Delhi and travelled to Parbhani by road, accompanied by AICC in-charge for Maharashtra Ramesh Chennithala, state Congress chief Nana Patole, and other leaders.