In a video which is now circulation, Satnami community religious leader Guru Bal Das has spoken about the pending bail case of persons arrested in the Baloda Bazar violence, raising some claims related to that violence. Bal Das, father of Chhattisgarh minister Guru Khushwant Saheb, said the work would go on for the release of those who are still imprisoned.
Guru Bal Das in the video slammed Bhim Army’s use of road blockades along with the police station protests as they did not yield any results. He said something was done when he had called and had given the example of Baloda Bazar. He also said that there might have been many Satnami community members in jail had he not released statements and videos at then time.
Bal Das said that people were physically beaten between the violence and then, talking about some people being picked up in white clothes allegedly. He said there was fear in the community as those who had to travel to markets, weddings, funerals and other social activities were wary of getting arrested.
Meanwhile, Bal Das stated that if any person is found guilty of the offence, he should be prosecuted and jailed if necessary, but no one has the right to physically attacked persons. He reported seeing blood on people’s bodies and that he had been sworn off of doing such things after his video release. In the report available, it has not been independently established that these allegations are true.
Bal Das also made a call for action against people involved in incidents of vandalism, arson and violence based on CCTV footage and videos of the incident. The people should not be arrested or beaten for being members of Satnami community, he said.
Bal Das said it was his duty to do his bit to free jailed people as a matter of procedure and that he will try his best to get people out of jail. In the case of the accused involved in the Baloda Bazar incident, court proceedings for their bail have also been pending, as the courts have heard arguments advanced by the prosecution and defence two times since the matter was taken up, court documents indicate.
Bal Das also called for action against those responsible for planning or perpetrating the attack and said the accountability should be on all of them.