How a Dalit Law Student’s Death in Police Custody Sparked Maharashtra’s Uprising for Justice

When the Suryavanshi family went to Parbhani, they were told Somnath’s body was sent to Aurangabad for postmortem. Upon arrival, they found protesting crowds, raising suspicions. Police initially refused to hand over the body, citing potential violence.

Rajan Chaudhary

Parbhani- In the quiet corners of Maharashtra’s Parbhani district, hundreds of books lie untouched in a modest home – their owner will never return to read them again. Somnath Suryavanshi, a 35-year-old law student who dreamed of becoming “even 1% of what Babasaheb Ambedkar was,” died in police custody on December 15, just two days before his law exam.

His death sparked large-scale protests in Parbhani, as it was linked to allegations of police brutality in Dalit areas following violence on December 10. The unrest began after reports of desecration of a copy of the Constitution near an Ambedkar statue in the area.

Sitting on a cot in the courtyard of a relative’s house in Annabhau Sathe Nagar, Vijayabai Suryavanshi remembers her son Somnath as a “book lover.” She says, “His only wealth was his hundreds of books. He wanted to become even 1% of what Babasaheb was.”

His death wasn’t just the end of one man’s journey; it became the spark that ignited widespread protests across Maharashtra, exposing deep-rooted tensions between law enforcement and marginalized communities.

The official autopsy report states “shock due to multiple injuries” as the cause of death – clinical words that have sparked uncomfortable questions about police brutality and the state of justice in Maharashtra.

Somnath’s death  sparked large-scale protests in Parbhani, as it was linked to allegations of police brutality in Dalit areas following violence on December 10.

The opposition has used this incident to target the newly-elected Mahayuti government. The incident coincides with ongoing parliamentary debates about the Constitution and Ambedkar’s legacy.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responded to protests in the Maharashtra Assembly on Friday. He said Somnath suffered from breathing difficulties and other health issues and hadn’t complained about police torture when presented in court. However, the government has initiated a Special Investigation Team (SIT) inquiry, suspended one police sub-inspector, and sent another officer on leave.

For Somnath’s family, this is far from justice. His brother Premnath says, “This was murder by the police.”

Somnath belonged to the nomadic Vadar community, listed as a Scheduled Caste. Education was a rare achievement for them due to constant relocation. Their father’s death in 2018 put additional strain on the family.

Despite these challenges, Somnath remained dedicated to education, wanting to become a lawyer to provide free legal aid. Premnath recalls, “He believed education could change lives and help others.”

Somnath’s death  sparked large-scale protests in Parbhani, as it was linked to allegations of police brutality in Dalit areas following violence on December 10.

From Peaceful Protest to Violence

According to the family, Somnath was providing legal advice to protesters after the Constitution desecration incident in Parbhani. The initially peaceful protest turned violent after police blamed a resident from Mirzapur village, 20 km away. Police described him as “mentally unstable and suicidal,” but Dalit activists saw it as an attempt to cover up caste-based violence.

On December 10, the protests turned violent. Between December 11 and 12, police raided Dalit settlements, arrested about 50 people, including Somnath. Witnesses say police entered homes at night and also mistreated women. Somnath was detained from Shankar Nagar, a predominantly Dalit area, and kept in police custody for two days. The family was informed of his death on December 15, attributed to a heart attack.

The family had last spoken to Somnath on December 9. They were unaware of the rising tensions in Parbhani.

When the Suryavanshi family went to Parbhani, they were told Somnath’s body was sent to Aurangabad for postmortem. Upon arrival, they found protesting crowds, raising suspicions. Police initially refused to hand over the body, citing potential violence.

The mother, Vijayabai, says, “Police asked if I would take responsibility for any violence. I asked if they would take responsibility for my son’s death.”

After intervention by Dalit activists, the family received Somnath’s body. Premnath says, “He was innocent and killed by police.”

Official Response and Allegations In the Assembly, CM Fadnavis revealed that the person who desecrated the Constitution had been under mental treatment since 2012. He said, “A committee of four doctors confirmed their mental condition.” Fadnavis said most protesters were peaceful, and about 200 people were blamed for the violence.

However, locals continue to allege police atrocities. Jyoti Kankute claims her daughters aged 14 and 16 were detained though they weren’t involved in protests. She alleges, “When I went to the station, I was beaten and abused.”

Similarly, Pooja Jadhav’s in-laws say they were detained and beaten when they intervened. Vimal Jadhav says, “Police beat me with a lathi. My husband, a kidney patient, was dragged out.”

In Priyadarshini Nagar, nurse Vatsalabai Manwate alleges she was detained for recording police action. Nikita Wature claims she was beaten until she revealed she had recently given birth.

The investigation continues, and the Suryavanshi family seeks justice, hoping Somnath’s legacy of education and equality won’t be forgotten.

Courtesy : The Mooknayak

Note: This news is originally published on themooknayak.com and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially for human rights.