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After Ekbote, now arrest Bhide by March 26, demands Prakash Ambedkar
Mumbai, March 15 (IANS) Hours after Hindutva leader Milind Ekbote was sent to police custody, Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh President Prakash Ambedkar on Thursday demanded the arrest of rightist leader and Shiv Pratishthan chief Sambhaji Bhide alias Bhide Guruji by March 26.
Tightening pressure on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena combine, the BBM chief served an ultimatum to the government to nab the leader within 10 days failing which he threatened a massive procession in Mumbai.
“He (Bhide) is also equally responsible like Ekbote and was involved in provoking the January caste riots in Bhima-Koregaon. Hence, even he deserved to be arrested and the government must do it by March 26,” Ambedkar, who is the grandson of B.R. Ambedkar, the Architect of Indian Constitution, told media persons.
He termed it as surprising that while Ekbote was arrested on Wednesday, the other prime accused has not been booked yet, though the BBM has been raising this demand since the day of the rioting.
Ekbote’s arrest followed two first information reports (FIR) lodged by Dalit activists Sushma Andhare and Anita Salve against Ekbote and the other against rightist leader from Sangli, Bhide.
The FIRs, lodged with Pune city police in early January, were later transferred to Pune rural police for investigations and further action. Ekbote was held from his home in Shivajinagar on Wednesday and Thursday, he was produced before a court which sent him to police custody till March 19.
Ekbote and Bhide are accused of instigating, planning and orchestrating the violence during the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Anglo-Maratha War where the army of Peshwa Bajirao II was vanquished by a small force of the East India Company that comprised a large number of Dalits.
However, both Ekbote and Bhide – whose admirers include Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis – have vehemently denied playing any role in the January 1 riots and its subsequent fallout.
In a related development, retired supercop and ex-ambassador Julio Ribeiro on Thursday questioned how the state government could withdraw all cases – barring serious ones – registered in the Bhima-Koregaon riots.
On Tuesday, Fadnavis had announced in the state assembly the government’s decision to withdraw all cases, except serious ones, lodged by police besides giving compensation to all victims who suffered property losses.
Ribeiro and others, through their NGOs, have filed a PIL in Bombay High Court contending that the Mumbai shutdown on January 3 was ‘illegal’ and the parties responsible for calling it must be made to compensate for the losses.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.