Religious Fanatic Filmed and Circulated Videos of Hindu Girls at Shiroli Pulachi (Kolhapur District)

Villagers Launch ‘Village Shutdown’ Protest

Kolhapur, Maharashtra – Angry reactions erupted on April 28 in Shiroli Pulachi, the village where the suspect fanatic, Sameer Sanade, resides, regarding the case of trapping Hindu girls in a love net, creating ‘videos’ of them, and circulating them. Large numbers of villagers and Hindutva activists gathered in the morning and took out a march from the village entrance arch to the Gram Panchayat, demanding strict action against the suspects. The police blocked the march outside the Gram Panchayat office, citing a lack of permission and asking the villagers to turn back. This led to a heated argument between the office-bearers and activists of Hindutva organizations and the police. On this occasion, the villagers observed a ‘Village Shutdown’ protest.

The villagers have also demanded the immediate arrest of Shahrukh Desai, a friend who assisted Sameer Sanade in this matter and is currently absconding. A large police contingent has been deployed in the village to prevent any untoward incidents. (Hindus always register their protest in a restrained manner, whereas fanatics often take the law into their own hands. Despite this, why is the baton of the law always raised against Hindus? Do the police feel that even when fanatics trap Hindu girls and play with their lives, Hindus should not even protest? – Editor)

Speaking to the media in this regard, representatives of Hindutva organizations said, “The police stopped us citing a lack of permission for the march; however, we will take permission and march again in two days. The police are telling us to ‘hold a silent march’; but Hindus will not remain quiet now. We demand that the fanatics who commit atrocities against our mothers and sisters be driven out of the village. If the police do not complete a thorough investigation within four days and take strict action against those involved, an outburst from Hindus is certain.”