Right-wing organisations are to blame for the murders of activists Govind Pansare and Narendra Dabholkar, a Maharashtra Legislative Council member said in the House, where MLCs cutting across party lines expressed concern over the twin killings and demanded a proper probe.
Kapil Patil (Lokbharati) mentioned the names of two such outfits, who he claimed, orchestrated the murder of rationalist Dabholkar (in 2013) and Pansare, a veteran Communist leader, who was shot dead last month.
The same outfits may also target Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, Patil said while initiating debate on the motion on law and order situation in Maharashtra.
Referring to the two high-profile murder cases, which remain unresolved, he said of late right-wing groups have gained in strength in the state and have emerged as a threat to the lives of progressive thinkers.
Patil claimed the slain police officer Hemant Karkare had submitted a list of people who's lives were under threat from right-wing organisations and that the RSS chief's name topped the list. "These extremists do not tolerate liberal Hindutva or Hinduism."
The state government and police are aware of these group's gameplan, but they do not want to take action against them, the legislator maintained. "The state should clarify who are shielding these organisations."
MLCs across party lines, including Manikrao Thakre, Anant Gadgil (Congress), Rahul Narvekar (NCP and Neelam Gorhe (Shiv Sena) expressed concerns over Pansare and Dabholkar's murders and demanded a thorough inquiry.
