Muslim families in Sangli plan High Court protest over alleged police inaction after attack

On June 7, several Muslim families from Aarla village in Sangli district, Maharashtra, packed their belongings and travelled to the Kolhapur Bench of the Bombay High Court. They intended to protest outside the court, alleging that the police had failed to take adequate action following an attack on their family members in April by a mob allegedly linked to the Hindu organisation Shri Shivpratishthan Hindustan.

The families were stopped by authorities who assured them of action within eight days. However, the families said that written assurances from the police had not been fulfilled, and they plan to march to the High Court again.

The attack occurred on April 28 following a dispute at a chicken shop run by the Dange family. A group of men from the neighbouring village of Padali had bought chicken from Hussain Dange's shop and borrowed a pot, lid, and ladle to cook. When returning the vessels, the lid and ladle were missing.

Adil Dange, brother of Hussain, said: 'The boys were completely drunk while returning the vessel. They started abusing us. My brother told them to go away.' The accused returned, and the situation escalated. A group of men from Aarla village itself — Kedar Pargavkar, Rohit Petkar, Sahil Patil, Sumit Patil — also arrived at the scene.

Pargavkar's Instagram page mentioned he belonged to the Hindu organisation Shri Shivpratishthan Hindustan, led by Sambhaji Bhide. The Instagram bio also mentioned the RSS, and his page featured videos of men marching with swords. Abid Dange, another family member, said: 'Whenever there is any issue involving Muslims, they will arrive and add fire to the matter.'

Abid said that his brother Hussain called the police, who tried to calm the group. However, the group attacked Hussain Dange with a knife, causing grievous injuries. He was admitted to the ICU. A medical report from Aadhar Healthcare Centre in Islampur stated that he suffered a 15 cm knife cut on his left forearm, tearing muscle and the left ulnar artery. Abid alleged that police personnel present at the scene were also beaten but did not include this in the complaint. Abid and other family members were also beaten.

Following the attack, an FIR was filed and 16 accused were arrested, according to the police. However, initially no charge of attempt to murder (BNS Section 109) was included. Abid said: 'The police did not record our statement according to what we were saying. We told them that the attackers are related to Hindutvawadi groups. Names of all the accused were not added and some false names have been added to make the case weak. On May 4, after the hospital report, the attempt to murder section was added. But on the day of hearing at the local court on May 18, the section was no longer present and they got bail.'

Assistant Police Inspector Rahul Atigre of Kokrud Police Station told The Indian Express: 'He was in the ICU initially and the doctor told us that the artery from the heart to the hand has been cut. I felt that he could die that is why we immediately added the section. When we sent the chargesheet after taking the doctor’s opinion, we removed section 109 and added section 326 (Mischief by injury, inundation, fire or explosive substance, etc). There was no attack to his vital body parts, the attack on his hands was grievous.' Atigre said he had no information about the accused being members of Shivpratishthan.

Abid further said: 'After they got bail, they had a grand celebration in the village. They took out a rally, burst firecrackers, and danced to DJ music. Their pooja was conducted in the middle of the street. The one who had attacked us with the knife was bathed in milk. A Rs 12,000 goat was cut in the evening for a party. Is there any democracy left in this country? Is the Constitution still there? This question has now arisen. If culprits are given bail and celebrated, what is left?'

The families continue to demand justice and plan to resume their protest at the High Court if their demands are not met.