Jarange accuses Bhujbal of creating rift between communities

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Quota activist Manoj Jarange has accused NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal of creating a rift between OBCs and Marathas after the latter presented a photo in the state legislature on Thursday showing one of the Jalna assault case accused with Jarange.

A 36-year-old farmer from the Dhangar community was brutally assaulted by some assailants and a video of the same went viral on social media.

"We have never defended any accused. We are sensitive people. We are honest. We never do such cheap acts (of defending accused)," Jarange told media persons at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

He added, "Some people are in the habit of showing photos. So that rift is created between two castes -- Dhangars and Marathas. However, such rifts can never be created even if some people spend their lifetime doing it."

Meanwhile, deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde spoke to farmer Kailas Borade on March 5 and announced that he would foot his medical expenses.

The assault took place on Feb 26 in Anwa village in Bhokardan taluka of Jalna district.

The victim told media persons that he was attacked and tortured with hot iron rods as he opposed a pipeline being laid on a farm.

Bhokardan police have registered an offence against two people, one of them allegedly a party worker of Shiv Sena (UBT) and is on the run.

Responding to a debate on the Jalna assault case in the state legislature on Thursday, Shinde said he has already spoken to Jalna SP and told Jalna guardian minister to meet the victim. The deputy CM also said that the demand for invoking Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the accused would be discussed with CM Devendra Fadnavis.