Bhalgaon villagers threaten to agitate over alleged defamation of Manorama Khedkar

Ahmednagar: Controversial probationary IAS officer Dr Puja Khedkar and her parents have invited criticism by their alleged misdeeds. However, villagers from their native Bhalgaon in Pathardi taluka of the district have supported the Khedkars. They held a gram sabha and decided to launch an agitation if defamation of the Khedkars was not stopped.

Manorama Khedkar is the former sarpanch of the village. The villagers claimed that development projects were implemented during her tenure and resolved to stand behind the Khedkars.

The villagers claimed that the case, in which Manorama and Dilip Khedkar were arrested, was fake. It portrayed only one side. The villagers said that they were satisfied with what Manorama Khedkar did for the village as its sarpanch. Had the post been not reserved, she could have become the sarpanch for the second term. This was stated in a petition submitted by the villagers to the State Government through the District Collector.

The gram sabha was held on Wednesday (July 17) evening and was presided over by sarpanch Popat Rokde. Balu Khedkar, Parvati Khedkar, Raju Sanap, Vikas Parkhe, Narayan Khedkar, Anita Rokde, Raosaheb Khedkar, Uddesh More and villagers were present.

The villagers alleged that defamatory content is being spread about the Khedkars on social media. The media is also spreading one-sided news on the basis of such content. They expressed anger over such alleged practices.

They claimed that the viral video, in which Manorama Khedkar is holding a pistol is half-truth. Earlier, local villagers had made an attempt on her life. Therefore, she was carrying the pistol in her self-defence.

They said that the Bhalgaon residents were standing firmly behind the Khedkar family. Injustice being meted out to them should stop, failing which they would start a relay hunger strike in front of the temple in the village.