Sanatan Sanstha, which is headquartered in Ramnathi in Ponda taluka, is under attack by Ramnath Yuwa Sagh and by some locals demanding ban on it. They have called for a rally in Ramnathi on October 11, demanding its ban. Following this demand some cultural groups including Hindu Jan Jagruti and panch members of Bandora pancahayat have come out in defence of Sanstha.
PONDA
Five panch members of Bandora Panchayat along with a local ZP member, all believed to be close to Minister for PWD Sudin Dhavalikar, have declared their support to Sanatan Sanstha.
They said that the call for banning Hindu right-wing organisation is not justified, especially when the investigation into the murder of Govind Pansare murder case is underway.
It may be recalled that Sameer Gaikwad, a seeker of Sanatan Sanstha, was arrested in connection with the murder of Pansare.
Deputy Sarpanch, Santosh Phadate said that everyone has the right to work for their faith, and Sanatan Sanstha was doing just that.
"Why should one point fingers against Sanatan while investigations are still underway? Has it been proved that any of its members are involved in the murder case?" Phadate questioned, adding that blaming Sanatan at this juncture was unwarranted.
When questioned as to on whose behalf the panchas were speaking, former deputy sarpanch, Ramchandra Naik, replied that they were speaking in their individual capacities.
“Those who are shouting against Sanatan are doing this as a publicity stunt,” he added, while calling for maintaining peace in the village.
ZP member, Chitra Phadate, said that certain people are trying to malign Sanatan Sanstha's imageand have hatched a conspiracy to raise an opposition against the organisation.
