Videos Of Bhima-Koregaon Speeches Offer A Rebuttal To 'Maoist' Claim

At the core of the charges against the 10 people arrested over Maoist links in June and August is their role in a gathering called the Elgar Parishad in Pune in December last year. The gathering was held ahead of the Bhima Koregaon anniversary that commeorates the victory of a small Scheduled Caste regiment defeated the forces of Peshwas 200 years ago. The Bhima Koregaon celebration, however, erupted into violence between two communities. One person died and several were injured in the clashes. Police said that it was the incendiary speeches given at the Elgar Parishad event that led to clashes, and that this was preplanned by Maoists who helped organise the Elgar Parishad. The basis for this: two police complaints - one that names participants like Umar Khalid and Jignesh Mevani. And the other, which names six participants all from Maharashtra from left organisations. (Video courtesy: fb/bhimakoregaonshauryadinpremaabhiyan)