During the Congress government’s tenure, Maharashtra had a strong law enforcement presence, and Mumbai Police were often compared to Scotland Yard. However, ever since Devendra Fadnavis took charge of the Home Department, the state's law and order situation has deteriorated significantly, claimed the president of Maharashtra Congress Harshvardhan Sapkal.
He said that the government has been rattled by satirical poetry performed by stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, and now, it is reported that even audience members attending his show are being served notices. Issuing such notices clearly indicates an attempt to turn the state into a police-controlled regime, claimed Sapkal.
Reacting to the issue, the Congress state president said, that if a comedian makes jokes about political leaders, they should be accepted with a big heart and viewed as humour. Even India’s first prime minister, Bharat Ratna Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr Manmohan Singh, and Congress President Sonia Gandhi have been subjected to harsh satire, but never were artists or their audiences harassed in such a manner.
Kunal Kamra did not even mention Eknath Shinde by name, yet his party resorted to vandalism and threats against him. “What crime have the audience members committed by merely watching his show?”
Sapkal further said that “Those who issued threats to Kamra and vandalised studios roam free, while the police harass innocent viewers. “What kind of justice is this?” asked Sapkal.
According to Sapkal, the government is trying to turn Maharashtra into a police state and this must be opposed and stopped immediately. This administration operates on the principle of punishing the innocent while letting criminals run free, he claimed.
Sapkal pointed out that in the three months since the BJP-led government came to power, Beed and Parbhani have witnessed murders of Santosh Deshmukh and Somnath Suryavanshi, Baba Siddiqui, a former minister was killed in Mumbai, celebrities are receiving death threats, and actor Saif Ali Khan was attacked inside his own home. A woman was raped at the Swargate bus station. From celebrities to village heads, no one is safe in this state, opined Sapkal.
The ‘Koyta Gang,’ ‘Aka Gang,’ and ‘Khoka Gang’ are running rampant, yet the Home Department and police force are unable to curb crime. From Pune city to the rural areas of Dharashiv district, drugs are being openly sold, but no action is being taken, felt Sapkal.
He further criticised CM Devendra Fadnavis, stating, that the Home Minister has no control over his department. His police force is only focused on taking action against political opponents, tapping their phones, preventing democratic protests, and harassing common citizens. Ministers from the ruling party issue open threats, yet the Home Minister sits blindfolded like Dhritarashtra.
“Both the Home Minister and the Director General of Police have become mere showpieces. If Fadnavis cannot dedicate enough time to the Home Department, he should appoint a full-time, competent Home Minister in the state’s best interest,” he said.