Maharashtra: Rahul Gandhi to meet families of Parbhani violence victims

Parbhani Violence: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will visit Parbhani city in Maharashtra’s Marathwada region on Monday to meet the families of two individuals who died following violence earlier this month. The state BJP has criticised his planned visit, calling it a "drama." The violence in Parbhani erupted on December 10 after a glass-enclosed replica of the Constitution near Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s statue outside the railway station was vandalised.

Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to meet the families of Somnath Suryavanshi, who died in police custody, and Vijay Wakode, who passed away during a protest. According to news agency PTI, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar shared the itinerary, noting that he would personally extend condolences to the affected families.

Allegations have been raised that Suryavanshi was tortured in police custody, but Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently told the state assembly that a magistrate had recorded Suryavanshi’s statement, in which he denied being tortured. Additionally, Fadnavis stated that CCTV footage does not indicate any brutality.