Maratha Community Rallies in Pune, Demands Death Penalty for Beed and Parbhani Accused
Pune, 5th January 2025: The murder of Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh from Massajog in Beed district of Maharashtra has sparked outrage not only in Maharashtra but across the nation. Seeking justice for Deshmukh and Somnath Suryavanshi of Parbhani, the Maratha community organized a massive protest march, “Janakrosh Morcha,” in Pune today, demanding the death penalty for the accused.
The march, which began at 11 a.m. from Lal Mahal, proceeded through key city routes, including Phadke Haud Chowk, 15th August Chowk, Ladkat Petrol Pump, and Narpatgiri Chowk, before culminating at the District Collector’s Office. In preparation for the rally, traffic on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Road, Nehru Road, and Ganesh Road was rerouted.
Prominent figures such as MLA Suresh Dhas, MP Bajrang Sonawane, social activist Manoj Jarange Patil, AIADMK leader Sandeep Kshirsagar, and members of the Deshmukh family participated in the march. Protesters carried banners and raised slogans demanding swift and stringent action against the accused in the Beed and Parbhani murder cases.
Addressing the gathering, protest leaders reiterated their primary demands. “We want the death penalty for the accused involved in the murders of Santosh Deshmukh and Somnath Suryavanshi. Additionally, a murder case must be registered against Valmik Karad, and he too should face the death penalty,” said one of the protest organizers.
The incident in Beed, where Sarpanch Deshmukh was murdered, has deeply unsettled the Maratha community. Coupled with the Parbhani incident, these cases have led to widespread anger and calls for stricter action against perpetrators of such crimes.
Authorities are yet to respond to the demands of the protesters, but the rally highlighted the community’s solidarity and determination to seek justice for the victims.
