Browsed by
Category: Bhima Koregaon

Koregaon-Bhima Riot Investigation: Special Prosecutor to Submit Detailed Report

Koregaon-Bhima Riot Investigation: Special Prosecutor to Submit Detailed Report

Graphic by Arun Ferreira & Vernon Gonsalves

‘Police took appropriate action following Koregaon Bhima violence’

27/11/2024

Hindustan Times / by Nadeem Inamdar

Special public prosecutor Shishir Hiray in final arguments before Bhima Koregaon commission hearing said Pune rural police took appropriate legal action after the communal riots at Bhima Koregaon on January 1, 2018.
Special public prosecutor Advocate Shishir Hiray while making the final arguments before the Bhima Koregaon commission hearing on Tuesday said that in the aftermath of the communal riots which took place in Bhima Koregaon on January 1, 2018, the Pune rural police took appropriate legal action as per the procedure.
… The hearing of this case will continue till Friday, November 29.
Read more


Koregaon-Bhima Riot Investigation: Special Prosecutor to Submit Detailed Report

26/11/2024

The Bridge Chronicle / by Salil Urunkar

Special public prosecutor’s final argument is anticipated to delve into several contentious aspects, including whether similar crimes occurred elsewhere following the Koregaon-Bhima event.
The special public prosecutor is scheduled to submit a comprehensive 500-page final written argument before the Koregaon-Bhima Inquiry Commission on November 26.
This marks a critical phase in the inquiry into the violent riots that occurred in Koregaon-Bhima in January 2018.
Read more


Also watch/read:
Video: Bhima Koregaon, Dalit Assertion, Upper Caste Backlash and the Deep State
Police Linked to Hacking Campaign to Frame Indian Activists (Wired.com / June 2022)
Bhima Koregaon Violence: Four Different Theories, but No Justice in Sight (The Wire / Jan 2022)
One year of Bhima-Koregaon case: Part I | History of a 200-year-old battle and why it still matters (The Leaflet / Jan 2019)

Video: Bhima Koregaon, Dalit Assertion, Upper Caste Backlash and the Deep State

Video: Bhima Koregaon, Dalit Assertion, Upper Caste Backlash and the Deep State

The AIDEM / by The AIDEM / Venkitesh Ramakrishnan

Writer and Senior Journalist Ajaz Ashraf discusses the perspectives in his recently published book “Bhima Koregaon Challenging Caste“ in the context of the history of the Elgar Parishad, the relevance of Bhima Koregaon as a symbol of struggle and the upper caste backlash that has manifested in this background. Ashraf also discussed the Deep State factor in Indian polity. Watch The AIDEM interactions with Venkitesh Ramakrishnan here.

en │ 25:25 min │ 2024
Watch video


Also watch/read:

▪ Video | Many Meanings of Bhima Koregaon: Ajaz Ashraf

By Daanish Bin Nabi

en | 20:12min | 2024
Watch video
Process as Punishment – Recent books that bear witness to the BK-16’s incarceration (The Caravan / Jul 2024)
Book Excerpt | How Bhima Koregaon Became a Trope for Dalit Pride and Assertion (The Wire │ by Ajaz Ashraf │ June 2024)

Koregaon Bhima violence a matter of ‘larger conspiracy’: State tells Inquiry Commission

Koregaon Bhima violence a matter of ‘larger conspiracy’: State tells Inquiry Commission

Booklet: “Salaakhon Mein Qaid Avaazein” (Access PDF)

The Indian Express / by Chandan Haygunde

The Commission has asked lawyers representing different parties and witnesses to submit their final arguments.
While making oral submission of his final argument before the Koregaon Bhima Commission of Inquiry, advocate Shishir Hiray, who represents the state, claimed the violence in Koregaon Bhima area on January 1, 2018 was a matter of a “larger conspiracy.” Hiray also justified the actions taken by the police department in handling the January 1 violence situation.
Read more


Also read:
Book Excerpt | How Bhima Koregaon Became a Trope for Dalit Pride and Assertion (The Wire │ by Ajaz Ashraf │ June 2024)
Police Linked to Hacking Campaign to Frame Indian Activists (Wired.com / June 2022)
They were Accused of plotting to overthrow the Modi government – The evidence was planted, a new report says (Washington Post / Feb 2021)
One year of Bhima-Koregaon case: Part I | History of a 200-year-old battle and why it still matters (The Leaflet / Jan 2019)
One year of Bhima-Koregaon case: Part II | Why Elgar Parishad spooked Sambhaji Bhide and Milind Ekbote, the alleged architects of January 1, 2018 anti-Dalit violence (The Leaflet / Jan 2019)

Book review | The historical backstory: Bhima Koregaon – Challenging Caste.

Book review | The historical backstory: Bhima Koregaon – Challenging Caste.

The Telegraph / by Sharmila Purkayastha

Leaving aside the somewhat extended Maoist plot, a narrative challenge in the book, Ashraf’s contribution lies in his excavation of caste contestations of modern Maharashtra
In the opening pages of Bhima Koregaon, Ajaz Ashraf sounds a word of caution when he tells the reader that the book lacks a beginning. Not just beginnings but tracing thematic connections is difficult since diverse events are yoked together across a wide swathe of historical time ranging from Shivaji’s coronation in 1674 till now.
Read more


Bhima Koregaon: Challenging Caste. Brahminism’s wrath against dreamers of equality

Author: Ajaz Ashraf  
Publisher: AuthorsUpFront
Publishing Date: June 2024
Pages: 496
Challenging Caste reads the violence at Bhima Koregaon as a clash between two worldviews – one striving to flatten the social hierarchy, the other justifying and perpetuating it. This book rips apart the Maoist conspiracy theory and the Urban Naxal narrative.
Read more/order


Also watch/read:

▪ Video | Many Meanings of Bhima Koregaon: Ajaz Ashraf

By Daanish Bin Nabi

en | 20:12min | 2024
Watch video
Process as Punishment – Recent books that bear witness to the BK-16’s incarceration (The Caravan / Jul 2024)

Communal elements trying to wipe out Koregaon Bhima’s history of sacrifice, says Sharad Pawar

Communal elements trying to wipe out Koregaon Bhima’s history of sacrifice, says Sharad Pawar

Booklet: “Salaakhon Mein Qaid Avaazein” (Access PDF)

Communal elements trying to wipe out Koregaon Bhima’s history of sacrifice, says Sharad Pawar

01/10/2024

The New Indian Express / by pti

Pawar also claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a threat to society and the thought in the latter’s mind was ‘detrimental to equality’.
NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has said the history of Bhima Koregaon, located in Maharashtra’s Pune district, is of sacrifices made by people but some communal elements are trying to wipe it out.
Read more


Pawar says PM’s leadership detrimental to equality

30/09/2024

Times of India / by Anurag Bende

NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Monday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership detrimental to equality.
Pawar said, “People realised that Modi and his party do not believe in the Constitution. Hence, they did not give him a full mandate in the Lok Sabha election.” He was addressing his supporters at a public rally in Pune on Monday.
Read more


Also read:
‘Communal riot script… but Dalits target’: Ajaz Ashraf on Bhima Koregaon ‘myth’ and media (Newslaundry / Sep 2024)
One year of Bhima-Koregaon case: Part I | History of a 200-year-old battle and why it still matters (The Leaflet / Jan 2019)
Let’s Remember the Lesson of Bhima Koregaon: Down with the New Peshwai (Sanhati │ by Sudhir Dhawale │ March 2018)
The Myth of Bhima Koregaon Reinforces the Identities It Seeks to Transcend (The Wire | Anand Teltumbde | Jan 2018)
Why peoples’ coalitions are uniting against Hindutva — the ‘new Peshwai’ (Dailyo.in │ by Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves │ Jan 2018)

Video | Many Meanings of Bhima Koregaon: Ajaz Ashraf

Video | Many Meanings of Bhima Koregaon: Ajaz Ashraf

By Daanish Bin Nabi

en | 20:12min | 2024
Watch video:


Bhima Koregaon: Challenging Caste. Brahminism’s wrath against dreamers of equality

Author: Ajaz Ashraf  
Publisher: AuthorsUpFront
Publishing Date: June 2024
Pages: 496
Challenging Caste reads the violence at Bhima Koregaon as a clash between two worldviews – one striving to flatten the social hierarchy, the other justifying and perpetuating it. This book rips apart the Maoist conspiracy theory and the Urban Naxal narrative.
Read more/order


Also read:
Process as Punishment – Recent books that bear witness to the BK-16’s incarceration (The Caravan / Jul 2024)
And the future of Stan Swamy (Midday.com / by Ajaz Ashraf / Oct 2022)
And a place Sudhir Dhawale calls home (Midday.com / by Ajaz Ashraf / Aug 2022)
And Ramesh Gaichor’s patriotic songs (Midday.com / by Ajaz Ashraf / Aug 2022)
And prayers to Lord for Arun Ferreira (Midday.com / by Ajaz Ashraf / Aug 2022)
And Vernon’s letters to his son (Midday.com / by Ajaz Ashraf / July 2022)
And comrades admire Jyoti Jagtap (Midday.com / by Ajaz Ashraf / July 2022)
And they wait for Mahesh Raut (Midday.com / by Ajaz Ashraf / Jun 2022)
And the letters of Rona Wilson (Midday.com / by Ajaz Ashraf / June 2022)
And Allah’s call to Hany Babu (Midday.com / by Ajaz Ashraf / June 2022)
And Ma died waiting for Surendra (Midday.com / by Ajaz Ashraf / Jun 2022)
And Ma can’t sing with Sagar (Midday.com / by Ajaz Ashraf / June 2022)
And he waits for Shoma Sen (Midday.com / by Ajaz Ashraf / May 2022)
And she waits for Gautam Navlakha (Midday.com / by Ajaz Ashraf / May 2022)

‘Communal riot script… but Dalits target’: Ajaz Ashraf on Bhima Koregaon ‘myth’ and media

‘Communal riot script… but Dalits target’: Ajaz Ashraf on Bhima Koregaon ‘myth’ and media

Booklet: “Salaakhon Mein Qaid Avaazein” (Access PDF)

Newslaundry / by Aban Usmani

The author of ‘Bhima Koregaon: Challenging Caste’ spoke to Newslaundry about the Maoist links case, the violence, the role of the state, and Maharashtra’s contentious caste history.
From official history to popular culture, the Hindutva investment in remaking the past has been all too visible over the last decade. And this attempt to dominate history has opened new flashpoints, such as the one linked to the Battle of Bhima Koregaon.
Read more


Bhima Koregaon: Challenging Caste. Brahminism’s wrath against dreamers of equality

Author: Ajaz Ashraf  
Publisher: AuthorsUpFront
Publishing Date: June 2024
Binding: Paperback
Language: English
Pages: 496
This book rips apart the Maoist conspiracy theory and the Urban Naxal narrative. It points out the ironies underlying the State’s charges against the sixteen, and the flimsiness of the evidence that is said to have been planted on their hacked computers. The conspiracy against the sixteen that inflicted untold miseries on their families is retold here in their voices.
Read more/order


Also watch/read:
Video: Discussion on “Bhima Koregaon: Challenging Caste” (By Paranjoy Online / Aug 2024)
Bhima Koregaon Challenging Caste: Brahminism’s Wrath Against Dreamers Of Equality by Ajaz Ashraf (Article 14 / Jul 2024)
Process as Punishment – Recent books that bear witness to the BK-16’s incarceration (The Caravan / Jul 2024)

Video: Ajaz Ashraf’s Book on Bhima Koregaon Unveiled at IIC

Video: Ajaz Ashraf’s Book on Bhima Koregaon Unveiled at IIC

Video: Discussion on “Bhima Koregaon: Challenging Caste”

By Paranjoy Online

en | 1:39:02 | 2024
On Thursday 30 July 2024 evening, a lively discussion took place at the India International Centre (Annexe), New Delhi, on the book written by journalist and author Ajaz Ashraf titled “Bhima Koregaon: Challenging Caste – Brahminism’s Wrath Against Dreamers of Equality” published by Paranjoy/AuthorsUpFront. The discussants were Manoj Kumar, Professor and Member of Parliament belonging to the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Subhashini Ali, member of the Communist Party of India – Marxist and Colin Gonsalves, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India.
Watch video


Ajaz Ashraf’s ‘Bhima Koregaon: Challenging Caste’ sheds light on judiciary role in Elgaar Parishad case

31/08/2024

The Telegraph / by Pheroze L. Vincent

Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves said the case had witnessed “the second biggest betrayal by the judiciary” following its “supine” role during the Emergency
Caste hatred and “State terrorism” came under the spotlight at the release of Ajaz Ashraf’s book, Bhima Koregaon: Challenging Caste, with speakers also questioning the judiciary’s role in the context of the long incarceration without trial of the Elgaar Parishad accused.
Read more


Ajaz Ashraf’s Book on Bhima Koregaon Unveiled at IIC

30/08/2024

Radiance News / by Radiance News Bureau

Senior journalist Ajaz Ashraf’s book, Bhima Koregaon: Challenging the Caste, was launched at India International Centre last evening. The book, published by Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, delves into the enduring struggle against casteism, focusing on the events surrounding the Bhima Koregaon incident and its broader implications.
Read more


Bhima Koregaon: Challenging Caste. Brahminism’s wrath against dreamers of equality

Author: Ajaz Ashraf  
Publisher: AuthorsUpFront
Publishing Date: June 2024
Binding: Paperback
Language: English
Pages: 496
This book rips apart the Maoist conspiracy theory and the Urban Naxal narrative. It points out the ironies underlying the State’s charges against the sixteen, and the flimsiness of the evidence that is said to have been planted on their hacked computers. The conspiracy against the sixteen that inflicted untold miseries on their families is retold here in their voices.
Read more/order


Also read:
Bhima Koregaon Challenging Caste: Brahminism’s Wrath Against Dreamers Of Equality by Ajaz Ashraf (Article 14 / Jul 2024)
Process as Punishment – Recent books that bear witness to the BK-16’s incarceration (The Caravan / Jul 2024)

Bhima Koregaon violence probe: Maharashtra govt grants inquiry panel 15th extension, till Nov 30

Bhima Koregaon violence probe: Maharashtra govt grants inquiry panel 15th extension, till Nov 30

Graphic by Arun Ferreira & Vernon Gonsalves

The Indian Express / by Express News Service

As per an order issued recently in this regard by the home department, the Bhima Koregaon Commission of Inquiry has been given an extension of another three months.
The Maharashtra government has granted yet another extension to the commission of inquiry, tasked with probing the Bhima Koregaon violence, till November 30. This is the fifteenth time that an extension has been granted to the commission since it was formed.
Read more


Also read:
Book Excerpt | How Bhima Koregaon Became a Trope for Dalit Pride and Assertion (The Wire │ by Ajaz Ashraf │ June 2024)
One year of Bhima-Koregaon case: Part I | History of a 200-year-old battle and why it still matters (The Leaflet / Jan 2019)
One year of Bhima-Koregaon case: Part II | Why Elgar Parishad spooked Sambhaji Bhide and Milind Ekbote, the alleged architects of January 1, 2018 anti-Dalit violence (The Leaflet / Jan 2019)
Let’s Remember the Lesson of Bhima Koregaon: Down with the New Peshwai (Sanhati │ by Sudhir Dhawale │ March 2018)
The Myth of Bhima Koregaon Reinforces the Identities It Seeks to Transcend (The Wire | Anand Teltumbde | Jan 2018)
Why peoples’ coalitions are uniting against Hindutva — the ‘new Peshwai’ (Dailyo.in │ by Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves │ Jan 2018)

‘The violence, to me, seemed scripted against Dalits,’ says Ajaz Ashraf

‘The violence, to me, seemed scripted against Dalits,’ says Ajaz Ashraf

Booklet: “Salaakhon Mein Qaid Avaazein” (Access PDF)

Book Review: Bhima Koregaon – Challenging Caste

26/08/2024

BooksPoetry&More / by Manoj Payal

I heard about Bhima Koregaon when it was all over the news channels in January 2018. The only thing that I knew were the reports of violence after a clash between Dalit groups and Marathas in and around Bhima Koregaon village in Maharashtra. By 2018, the media had lost all its credibility and most of them were toeing the government line, so I was not sure what is shown on TV news is even correct. I tried to find more information about the Bhima Koregaon event, its history, and its significance. I found some, but it was still not enough and then the book “Bhima Koregaon – Challenging Caste” came out, which takes a deep dive into the whole event, its history, and what happened after the January 2018 violence. It dispelled a lot of doubts and half-truths.
Read more


‘The violence, to me, seemed scripted against Dalits,’ says Ajaz Ashraf

23/08/2024

The Hindu / by Sobhana K. Nair

Different castes remember the incident on January 1, 2018, and the reasons for it differently
In Bhima Koregaon: Challenging Caste, senior journalist Ajaz Ashraf relooks the events that led to the Bhima Koregaon violence on January 1, 2018. Ashraf sees the incident as a clash between two worldviews, one striving to flatten the social hierarchy and the other perpetuating it, as he says in this interview.
Read more


Bhima Koregaon: Challenging Caste. Brahminism’s wrath against dreamers of equality

Author: Ajaz Ashraf  
Publisher: AuthorsUpFront
Publishing Date: June 2024
Binding: Paperback
Language: English
Pages: 496
This book rips apart the Maoist conspiracy theory and the Urban Naxal narrative. It points out the ironies underlying the State’s charges against the sixteen, and the flimsiness of the evidence that is said to have been planted on their hacked computers. The conspiracy against the sixteen that inflicted untold miseries on their families is retold here in their voices.
Read more/order


Also read:
Bhima Koregaon Challenging Caste: Brahminism’s Wrath Against Dreamers Of Equality by Ajaz Ashraf (Article 14 / Jul 2024)
Process as Punishment – Recent books that bear witness to the BK-16’s incarceration (The Caravan / Jul 2024)