Maharashtra, the homeland of Dalit icon B.R. Ambedkar, was on the boil yesterday after stone-pelting and arson in Pune on New Year’s Day provoked a backlash in Mumbai and various parts of Maharashtra.
The group called for a shutdown in the state today. Several cities and towns in Maharashtra remained on edge as after a day of angry protests, on Wednesday, Dalit groups called for a shutdown in the state. The police said that in view of the call they have made elaborate arrangements. The schools have made no announcement regarding closure but a school bus owners’ association announced that the buses will not ply in the morning. Dalit protesters demanded action regarding Monday’s caste clashes near Pune in which a man was killed. Protestors also blocked major Mumbai roads at the rush hour, disrupted rail traffic and damaged scores of buses. The police later detained more than 100 protesters.
To observe the 200th anniversary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle, thousands of Dalits gathered on the outskirts of Pune on Monday. In the battle, The East India Company’s army defeated the Peshwas. Vehicles were also targeted with stones. One unidentified person died reportedly due to stone-pelting and several others were injured.
Dalit protesters took to the streets on Tuesday and blocked roads in Ghatkopar, Sion, Chembu and Mulund areas of Mumbai. Public and private vehicles in Mumbai and the larger metropolitan region were attacked with stones. In parts of Vidarbha and Marathwada regions like Akola, Nanded, and Beed, which have a good amount of Dalit population, incidents of arson and stone-pelting and were reported.
The grandson of Dalit icon BR Ambedkar, Prakash Ambedkar, has called for a shutdown of Maharashtra on Wednesday. Mr. Prakash Ambedkar said 250 such groups are supporting the bandh call. He leads a Dalit group and has blamed local right-wing leaders solely for Monday’s violence. The groups yesterday and blocked roads and targeted public transport vehicles at several points in Mumbai and other places in Maharashtra. The harbor line, one of three suburban train services in Mumbai was shut for a few hours after protestors sat on the tracks refusing to leave.
The Mumbai police assured that extra forces have been requested and if needed, prohibitory orders banning large gatherings can be imposed. Areas have also been identified where the internet could be suspended to control spreading of rumors on social media. The police said that over 160 buses and other vehicles had been damaged in Mumbai since the protest started. Heavy security had to be deployed in Mumbai’s eastern suburbs as the protesters started disrupting road traffic and local train services on the Harbour Line. They also forced shops to shut down and blocked roads in several areas.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take stock of the situation. He was told that all possible efforts were being made to restore normalcy, reported news agency Press Trust of India, quoting sources.
Chief Minister Fadnavis appealed for calm and warned against the spread rumors on social media. He also ordered an inquiry by a sitting High Court judge into Monday’s violence.
