A contract worker of the Ahilyanagar Municipal Corporation’s Electricity Department in Maharashtra, Dheeraj Pardeshi, died during treatment on Sunday, 9th August, after being brutally attacked by a Muslim mob in the Mukundnagar area on 7th August. Pardeshi had been seriously injured while he was on duty near the Dargadaira graveyard and had been undergoing treatment for three days.
Following the attack, Bhingar Camp police launched an investigation and arrested four suspects. The arrested accused have been identified as Yunus Sheikh, Mehraj Syed, Siraj Syed and Mustaqeem Syed. The three accused who fatally attacked Pardeshi had fled to Hyderabad.
The Hindu man’s killing has triggered tension and protests in Ahilyanagar district. Members of the Sakal Hindu Samaj gathered outside the hospital and called for a city bandh. Municipal employees have also announced an indefinite strike, demanding the arrest of those involved in the attack and better security for civic workers.
MLAs Sangram Jagtap and Akshay Kardile also joined protesters and later blocked a road near the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the old bus stand. Police have appealed to people to maintain peace and warned against spreading rumours or taking the law into their own hands.
What happened to Dheeraj Pardeshi?
Pardeshi was working as a wireman for a contractor associated with the municipal corporation’s Electricity Department. On Friday, 7th August, he and his colleagues had gone to the Mukundnagar area to carry out repair work and install lights near the Dargadaira graveyard.
According to the media reports, a group of around 10 to 15 Muslims attacked Pardeshi while he was working. He was beaten with sticks and other tools, suffering serious injuries, including injuries to his head and other parts of his body.
After the attack, the assailants reportedly fled from the spot. Pardeshi was rushed to a private hospital in a critical condition. Despite treatment for three days, he died on Sunday afternoon.
A case was registered at Bhingar Camp police station. Following his death, the case has become a major law-and-order issue in the city.
Dheeraj Pardeshi was attacked by Muslim mob for wearing a Tilak on his forehead, alleges family
The exact motive behind the attack remains under investigation. However, Pardeshi’s family and some local leaders said that he was targeted because of his Hindu identity and his association with Hindutva. Pardeshi was killed because he was wearing a Tilak on his forehead. MLA Sangram Jagtap claimed that Pardeshi had gone to the area only for official work and questioned the police version that the attack was linked to an old dispute.
“Dheeraj and his colleagues had gone to work as wiremen. However, the police are saying that the incident took place due to an old dispute and that the accused suddenly saw Dheeraj there,” Jagtap said.
He further said that there was a discrepancy between the actual sequence of events and the information being given by the police. Jagtap demanded that the investigation should identify the main conspirators behind the attack.
Police are continuing their search for other people involved in the attack. Deputy Superintendent of Police Dr Dilip Tipse said four accused had been arrested, while the investigation into the case was continuing.
Wife demands funeral at the same place, says Dheeraj Pardeshi was killed by Muslim mob for supporting Hindutva
Pardeshi’s wife has demanded that her husband’s last rites be performed at the same graveyard where he was allegedly attacked. “They took my husband to the graveyard and killed him. I will also perform the last rites at the same place,” she said.
Dheeraj’s wife is reported to have alleged that he was killed because he was actively supporting Hindu rights. An ABP report says that Dheeraj’s wife has said that her husband was killed for being a “Hindutva supporter”. Several local Hindu rights organisations warned of a bandh in Ahilyanagar.
The family has demanded strict punishment for those responsible, including the death penalty. The demand has created another challenge for the administration as police are trying to prevent any further escalation of tension.
Police appeal for peace
Ahilyanagar Superintendent of Police Mummaka Sudarshan has appealed to citizens to remain calm. Police personnel have been deployed in different parts of the city, and officials said the situation is currently under control.
The SP said the case is being thoroughly investigated and assured citizens that the facts behind the incident would be brought to light. He also warned people against spreading rumours or taking the law into their own hands.
Meanwhile, the Municipal Employees’ Association has announced an indefinite strike from Monday, 10th August. The association, led by its presidents Jitendra Sarsar and Babasaheb Mudgal, said civic employees would not resume normal operations until the accused were arrested and adequate security was ensured for employees working in the Mukundnagar area.
General secretary Anandrao Waikar questioned how municipal workers could continue providing essential services if they were not safe at their workplaces. The association paid tribute to Pardeshi and demanded action against all those responsible for his death.
