The call for justice has garnered support from Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar), Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray), All India Majlis-e Ittehadul Muslimeen, and the Samajwadi Party.
Team Clarion
MUMBAI – Several opposition leaders have pressed for strict action against the culprits of the recent anti-Muslim violence in Kolhapur’s Vishalgarh area, which saw the homes of minority community members vandalised and looted. The incident, which took place under the pretext of encroachment, has sparked outrage and calls for justice from several quarters.
Former minister and state Congress working president Arif Naseem Khan led a press conference on Thursday, alongside opposition leader Vijay Vidyatiwar and Member of Parliament Varsha Gaekwad, demanding accountability and compensation for the affected families. “Strict action should be taken against the perpetrators and masterminds of the Vishalgarh violence,” Khan asserted. “The families who have suffered in this communal attack should be compensated according to the Supreme Court’s directive.”
Khan criticised the police for their inadequate response despite being aware of the pending encroachment case and the planned march in Vishalgarh. “It is clear that the rioters were given free rein to take the law into their hands,” he said, emphasising the need for a thorough investigation into the elements behind the riots.
State President of the Sharad Pawar faction of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Jayant Patil also condemned the Vishalgarh riots. “In the name of removing encroachments, houses were vandalised in Gajapur and set on fire,” Patil told media representatives in Islampur. “The government should find the mastermind of this riot, arrest those involved, and take strict action against them.”
Patil called for non-bailable case to be registered against the culprits, adding, “Those who attack innocent people cannot be Shivabhakts. They were thugs who beat people and damaged mosques and houses. They should not be called Shiv Premi.”
Broader Opposition Support
The call for justice has garnered support from various opposition parties, including Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar), Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray), All India Majlise Ittehadul Muslimeen, and the Samajwadi Party. These parties have been vocal in their criticism of the government’s handling of the situation and the perceived failure of law enforcement agencies to prevent the violence.
During the press conference, opposition leader Vijay Vidyatiwar highlighted the historical significance of Kolhapur, the land of Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj, and expressed dismay that such an incident had tarnished his legacy. “Some people have shamed Shahu Maharaj’s ideals with the Vishalgarh incident,” Vidyatiwar said.
He also raised concerns about the state of law and order, questioning why no attempts were made to prevent the violence despite clear indications of potential trouble. “This incident raises the question of whether there is law and order in the state,” Vidyatiwar remarked.
The opposition leaders collectively demanded that the government provide compensation to the affected families as per the Supreme Court’s directive and take immediate steps to restore peace and order in the region. They stressed the importance of holding those responsible accountable to prevent such incidents from recurring.
“The government must ensure justice for the victims and take decisive action against those who perpetrated this violence,” Khan concluded. “We cannot allow such attacks to go unpunished and must uphold the principles of justice and equality for all citizens.”
