Sambhaji Brigade files plaint against Bhide for 'Manusmriti'

A caste organisation today submitted a complaint with police against right-wing leader Sambhaji Bhide in connection with his alleged statement extolling ancient Hindu legal text, the Manusmriti.

The members of Sambhaji Brigade today burnt the copies of 'Manusmriti' outside the Jungli Maharaj temple, after which they approached Shivaji nagar police station and submitted a complaint application against Bhide seeking registration of a case against him.

"In the speech given at Jungli Maharaj temple on Saturday, Bhide had claimed that Manu (believed to be the progenitor of humanity in Hindu texts) was one step ahead of saints like Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram.

"This is a controversial and unconstitutional statement. By advocating Manusmriti, Bhide has insulted saints Dynaneshwar and Tukaram," the complaint stated.

Senior police inspector Appasaheb Waghmale confirmed the receipt of the application.

He said police are verifying a video clip in which Bhide is purportedly heard making the remarks.

Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the Legislative Assembly that reported comments of Bhide would be probed.

Bhide, chief of the righ-wing Shiv Pratishthan Hindustan, is accused of instigating the violence against Dalits during the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in January 1 this year. He had denied the allegation.