Pune: Maratha Kranti Morcha Demands Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s Resignation in Pimpri Chinchwad Protest
Reported By Varad Bhatkhande
Pimpri Chinchwad, 9th January 2025: A public outcry protest was held in Pimpri Chinchwad today where multiple issues across Maharashtra were raised by Maratha Kranti Morcha. In the protest, a demand for the resignation of newly reinstated Maharashtra Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis was made. The protesters argued that an atmosphere of fear is hindering Maharashtra’s educational, economic, and industrial development.
The ‘Jan Akrosh’ Protest was held in front of the Tehsildar Office in Nigdi, Pimpri Chinchwad. The demonstrators expressed outrage over several recent incidents, including the kidnap and murder of Massajog Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh in Beed, the death of Somnath Suryawanshi in police custody in Parbhani, and the sexual assault and murder of two minor girls in Rajgurunagar, Pune district. Protesters also highlighted concerns about extortion crimes and sexual assaults against women and minors across Maharashtra.
Key demands presented to authorities include:
1. Arrest all accused in the Santosh Deshmukh murder case, including the masterminds, and prosecute them under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) of 1999
2. Conduct a fast-track trial and seek the death penalty for the accused
3. Provide police protection to Deshmukh’s family and witnesses
4. Demand the resignation of Cabinet Minister Dhananjay Munde, citing his alleged close ties to the accused
5. Investigate the assets of the accused through the Enforcement Directorate
6. Conduct a judicial inquiry into Somnath Suryavanshi’s death in custody and file charges against responsible police officers
7. Take strict legal action against those involved in the Rajgurunagar sexual assault and murder case
Protesters called for the appointment of a “full-time” and “impartial” Home Minister to address the worsening law and order situation in Maharashtra. They demanded that Devendra Fadnavis resign from his position as Home Minister and that a new appointment be made. Referring to Fadnavis’s dual role as Chief Minister, they labelled him a “part-time” Home Minister and accused him of partiality. The protesters also raised slogans of “Devendra Fadnavis Murdabad” during the demonstration.
The demonstration was attended by various political and social leaders, including Manav Kamble, Prakash Jadhav, Sanjog Waghere Patil, former MLA Gautam Chabukswar, and representatives from the Sambhaji Brigade and Maratha Seva Sangh. Thousands of protesters participated in the event.
Satish Kale, Pimpri Chinchwad City President of Sambhaji Brigade, demanded the expulsion of Minister Dhananjay Munde from the cabinet, alleging close ties between the accused in the Santosh Deshmukh murder case and Munde’s associates. Social activist Manav Kamble criticized Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for losing control over the home ministry, citing the recent incidents in Beed, Parbhani, and Rajgurunagar. Prakash Jadhav of Maratha Seva Sangh called for Fadnavis to step down as Home Minister and for the appointment of a full-time, non-political, and fearless administrator to the position.
The protesters submitted a letter of their demands to the Chief Minister through Tehsildar Jayraj Deshmukh.
