By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net
Bhopal: Himanshu Sabharwal, son of slain Prof. H.S. Sabharwal, started his fast-unto-death here on Tuesday demanding Central Bureau of Investigation, (CBI), probe into his father’s broad day-light murder.
Himanshu, who was to undertake his fast-unto-death from March 20 if his demand is not met till then, as he had announced at a Press conference on March 13, pre-poned it in the light of Bharatiya Janata Party, (BJP), ruled Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s refusal to accede to his request.
Chouhan following Himanshu’s open letter to him had without giving second thought immediately told electronic media that he would only abide by the Supreme Court directive which had transferred Prof. Sabharwal’s case outside Madhya Pradesh to Nagpur in Maharashtra and not order CBI inquiry into the case.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday last had transferred the trial from Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh to Nagpur in Maharashtra, with a direction for its completion within two months. The order came on a petition by Himanshu, who apprehended that a free and fair trial was not possible in Madhya Pradesh.
It may be pointed out here that Prof. Sabharwal of Ujjain’s Madhav college, died on August 26, 2006 after he was allegedly attacked by Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad, (ABVP), the BJP’s student wing, leaders protesting against the cancellation of student union election in the university. The professor had declared the election null and void. Protesting his decision, some students of the college had allegedly attacked him brutally, leading to his immediate death.
It may be mentioned here that five members of ABVP, face murder charges. All the 54 witnesses had turned hostile in the Ujjain trial court.
The main opposition Congress in Madhya Pradesh has supported Himanshu’s struggle for justice to pin down their adversary BJP in this election year. Leader of the Opposition Ms Jamuna Devi, a former Congress minister and Congress leader Arif Masood were amongst others who visited Himanshu at Roshanpura square, where he has undertaken his fast-unto-death, to lend their support.
Himanshu told this correspondent that Student Federation of India, (SFI), would organise dharna (sit-in) all over India from tomorrow in support for his demand of CBI inquiry.
Meanwhile, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi people from all walks of life reportedly organised candle-light vigil to condemn the fascist forces responsible for Prof. Sabharwal’s death and in support of Himanshu’s demand.
The National Confederation of Human Rights Organizations, (NCHRO), has put up Online petition directed to President of India, Governor of Madhya Pradesh and Prime Minister of India. The petition URL is: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/NCHRO/petition.html
The Online petition has been signed by Justice Suresh and Adv. K.P.Mohammad Shareef, Chairman & Secretary General NCHRO respectively, and called the people at large to sign up the online petition. ([email protected])