Hindu Jan Akrosh Morcha and sit-in protest at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar

• Pooja Pawar suicide case

• Religious fanatics threatened Pooja’s family with knives and swords

• Demand for death penalty to culprits

Courtesy: Divya Marathi

Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar – 3 days ago, Pooja Pawar, a 16-year-old girl committed suicide due to harassment by Qasim Pathan. Quasim had been troubling Pooja for the past several years. To protest this, and to demand to hang Quasim, a Jan Akrosh Morcha was organised at Harsul Tea Point on 21^stAugust. Protesters also staged sit-in agitation. Many Hindus participated.

The protesters demanded justice to Pooja at the earliest and capital punishment to the accused. The Police complaint accused 7 individuals, but the Police arrested only 2. Those who are scot- free have started threatening Pooja’s family members. They shouted in front of her house as ‘Aaj jail, kal bail, phir vahi purana khel’ (jail today, bail tomorrow and we’ll come back for you) and threatened with knives and swords. Pawar family is in a state of panic due to this.

Pooja’s family scared of an attack by the religious fanatics

The family said, “A few of them are criminals. They have threatened with knives and swords. At present, the relatives have come to console our daughter’s death, we are worried that the criminals will attack as soon as the relatives leave.” Pooja’s family is panicked. (While Pooja’s family is getting threats, what are the Police doing ? How dare religious fanatics behave in this manner ? – Editor).

Sit-in agitation at Jatwada road

Demanding immediate arrest of the absconding accused in the case of Pooja Pawar’s suicide, the villagers from the Jatwada area staged a sit-in agitation on the street, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on 20^thAugust. At this time, the former Deputy Mayor Vijay Autade and officials of various organisations were present. To get the details of the protesters’ demands, the Police Inspector of Harsul Police Station, Sunita Misal arrived at the location. She assured that the accused would be arrested soon.

Editorial Perspective

The threats from the religious fanatics show that Maharashtra is turning into Pakistan. It is a shame on the Police that in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Maharashtra, religious fanatics dare to indulge in this kind of criminal activity.