Sagar Gorkha, an accused in the 2018 Bhima Koregaon caste violence, is on an indefinite hunger strike citing harassment by Taloja Central Jail authorities.
Mr. Gorkha was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from Kondhwa on September 7, 2020. Jail Superintendent UT Pawar told that he is on hunger strike since May 20 Hindu That Mr. Gorkha informed them orally only on Monday morning when they were on their tours. “I have told them that they will have to give me a written application citing the demands and reasons for going on strike. Going on hunger strike is illegal. We are going to address all their issues.”
A letter sent to the Maharashtra Home Minister on Tuesday said that all letters received and sent from jail to lawyers and families are scrutinized and scanned by jail authorities and anti-Naxal cells, and some even to the NIA. goes.
“This is a process that we follow for all prisoners,” Mr Pawar said. “It is mentioned in the prison manual. All incoming and outgoing letters are checked and scanned in all prisons across the country. ,
Mr. Gorkhe has mentioned that despite the Bombay High Court’s direction, he and other co-accused in the case are not allowed to call their family members. Mr Pawar said that a circular has been issued by the Jail Department which states that gangsters and those accused of terrorism and Naxalism, whether under trial or convicted, will not be given this facility. “I am following the circular.”
The letter states that he is given only one bucket of water for drinking, bathing and using in the toilet. Mr Pawar, however, denied the claim. “Gorkha is kept in a high security cell, connected to a tanker that provides him with water 24/7. He has access to more water than any other prisoner, as other people have access to drinking water. Two bottles of water are provided and a tap is provided to fill his bucket for toilet and bath. If the Gorkha still needs more water, we have a canteen from where he can buy water. is.”
The 35-year-old says he faces back problems and other health problems, but was not treated at the jail hospital nor taken to the government-run JJ Hospital. “Our prison hospital is well equipped,” said Mr. Pawar. “If he has a problem, he can come and see a doctor. We never deny medical facilities to any prisoner.”
Mr. Gorkha, along with two other Pune-based artists, Jyoti Jagtap (in Byculla jail) and Ramesh Gaychor (in Taloja jail), are part of a cultural troupe called Kabir Kala Manch, composed of Dalit and working class musicians and poets. Is. Who came together after the 2002 violence in Gujarat.