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Latest updates: BR Ambedkar’s grandson and leader of Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh Prakash Ambedkar has called off the Maharashtra bandh. He said that there intention was to hold a peaceful protest to express their anger. Meanwhile, the Mumbai Police said that the traffic situation was normalisisng. North and South bound traffic has eased up on Western Express Highway, while the Eastern Expressway is also clear up to Thane. The Congress has blamed the RSS and Hindutva outfits for the violence against Dalits in Koregaon. “Caste-related violence is on the rise in the country. The RSS and other Hindutva organisations are trying to drive a wedge between the Marathas and Dalits in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is silent on the issue, he should come and speak on the floor of the House. We (Congress) demand an inquiry by a Supreme Court judge,” said Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Meanwhile, RPI chief and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has virtually exonerated Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani from any role in instigating the violence at Bhima-Koregaon. “Police must have acted if Jignesh Mevani’s speech was instigating. But he has no relation with this incident,” he said. Meanwhile, Mumbai continues to suffer due to the Maharashtra bandh called on Wednesday. Trains have been halted for brief periods in Virar, Goregaon, and Thane; Schools are declaring a holiday, while MPs have given adjournment motion notice in both houses of Parliament over the Bhima-Koregaon violence in Maharashtra. Violence marred the 200th-anniversary celebrations of Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune on Monday spilled into Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra. Protests have now spilled over to the Western suburbs. Protests have been reported in Andheri and Bandra’s Kala Nagar too. Metro services have been affected as protesters have halted trains between Ghatkopar and Asalfa. Earlier in the day, Protesters blocked the Eastern Expressway at Ghatkopar. CNN-News18 reports that protesters in Ghatkopar and Goregaon also forced people travelling in buses to get down. According to the report, protesters are stopping buses and allowing only empty buses to go ahead. In addition, the Barkat Ali Road in Wadala too has been closed by the police. Protesters tried to disrupt railway service in Nalasopara on the Western line. However, with timely intervention of the police, the tracks have been cleared for traffic. The Central Railway, too, in a statement, said that train service is running uninterrupted except for some protests in Diva and Vashind. Overall, the situation overall remains under control in Mumbai and adjacent areas. Section 144 has been imposed in Thane district till 4 January midnight as a precautionary measure. Schools and colleges in Maharashtra remain open and no holiday has been declared in the state. Protesters in Thane, Virar and Goregaon tried to disrupt train services in the morning. However, the police was able to disperse them and re-start railway services. Nevertheless, BEST services are not plying on certain routes across Mumbai. [caption id=“attachment_4284393” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]
File image of Prakash Ambedkar. CNN News18[/caption] The caste clashes in Maharashtra has now reached the Indian Parliament. The Opposition has issued several adjournment motions to discuss the violence, which began in Bhima Koregaon on New Year’s day. Home Minister Rajnath Singh is also likely to issue a statement in the Lok Sabha on the situation in Maharashtra. Security has been tightened across Maharashtra in view of the bandh called by the Dalit groups. According to CNN-News18, several troops of the Rapid Action Force have been deployed across Mumbai, especially in eastern suburbs like Chembur and Ghatkopar, which were badly affected by violence on Tuesday. However, the CNN-News18 report added that the situation is currently normal in the eastern and western suburbs of Mumbai. The Maharashtra government has urged citizens to not believe in any rumours of a holiday on Wedneday. Meanwhile, over 40,000 school buses will not ply on Mumbai roads on Wednesday fearing violence. The state-wide bandh has been called by the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh and several other Dalit organisations on Wednesday to protest the state government’s “failure” to stop the violence at Bhima Koregaon village in Pune district on Monday. “We have made elaborate arrangements to keep the situation under control in view of the bandh. Extra forces have been kept on standby. Some areas have been identified where internet could be suspended so people cannot spread rumours on social media,” DGP Satish Mathur told
The Indian Express.
Mumbai Traffic Police has also taken precautionary measures to ensure smooth flow of traffic. “All traffic personnel will be on their toes to ensure smooth flow of traffic, especially on the Eastern Express Highway,” police officer told
DNA.
Prakash Ambedkar had alleged that Hindu Ekta Aghadi was responsible for the violence. He said Maharashtra Democratic Front, Maharashtra Left Front, besides 250 organisations, have supported Wednesday’s shutdown. Ambedkar, the grandson of Dalit icon BR Ambedkar, has appealed for peace during the bandh period. Referring to the caste clashes in Bhima Koregaon, Ambedkar ruled out any conflict between Marathas and Dalits. “If there was any tension, the 200th anniversary commemoration of the Bhima Koregaon battle would not have taken place. The program was organised by Sambhaji Brigade (a Maratha organisation),” he said while addressing a press conference in Mumbai. He alleged the trouble occurred because of Hindu Ekta Aghadi and Shivraj Pratishthan, headed by Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide, respectively. “Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Sabha (ABHS), Peshwa heirs, had opposed the event. We held talks with ABHS after which they decided against opposing,” he said. The event to mark 200th anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle in Pune district, in which forces of the East India Company defeated Peshwa’s army, was marred by incidents of violence on Monday, with at least one person was killed. Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory, as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community — then considered untouchable — were part of the East India Company’s forces. Ambedkar alleged that villagers were provoked by the Shivraj Pratisthan while the Hindu Ekta Agadhi hurled stones at people going towards the Koregaon war memorial. He demanded that various types of grants and subsidies being given by the government to villages along Koregaon, Shiroor and Chakan, be stopped. Ambedkar said a judicial probe ordered by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis into the violence should be headed by chief justice of high court and not by a sitting judge. The violence sparked off protests in various parts of Maharashtra on Tuesday, including in Mumbai where protesters staged a rail roko in suburban Chembur.
Maharashtra bandh as it happened: Will monitor CCTV footage to probe incidents of violence, says Fadnavis; protests called off
Prakash Ambedkar has called for Maharashtra bandh on Wednesday to protest the state government’s “failure” to stop the violence in Koregoan
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Traffic update as of now: Expect congestion at following roads
City
1. Mela Junction
2. Worli Naka
3. Malet / Orange Gate Junction.
Eastern Expressway
1.Sion Junction matunga
2.Amarmahal Junction
3.Chedanagar Junction
4.Ramabai Nagar
5. Mankhurd T Junction Govandi
LBS Road
1.Kamani jn kurla
2.Shreyas Junction Ghatkopar
3 Gandhinagar Ghatkopar
JVLR
1.IIT Powai maingate
2.Gandhinagar Ghatkopar
Eastern Freeway
1.IOC junction mankhurd
2.Panjrapol Trombay
3.Tunnel after bhaktipark
West
Akurli road & Samta nager
Devendra Fadnavis says CCTV footage to be monitored to probe incidents of violence
We are Maratha, he had nothing to do with protest, says family of man who was killed
The family of the youth who was killed in Moday’s protests told The Times of India that he had nothing to do with the protests.
“We have nothing to do with either the celebrations or the protests. We are Maratha. Rahul was coming home to Sanaswadi on his motorcycle early when he came to know that there was trouble and a traffic jam at Koregaon Bhima,” his youngest brother Tushar said.
Tushar said it was his brother’s bad luck. " It took one stone to kill my brother. There was heavy stone pelting at Koregaon Bhima. But just that one stone thrown by someone at Sanaswadi snuffed out his life and nobody knows where it came from," he said.
Amravati hit by complete shut down, stray incidents of violence reported
Responding to the call given by Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar, a total bandh was observed in Amravati. Protesters submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister and the Governor through resident deputy collector Nitin Vyavahare.
The memorandum demanded that those involved in the violence at Bhima Koregaon be booked under the National Security Act and the Maharashtra
Control of Organised Act. The protesters also demanded permanent police security for the Smriti Stumbh at Bhima Koregaon and compensation worth Rs. one crore to the family of the deceased and Rs.75,000 each to those injured in the violence.
They also demanded an impartial probe in the matter through a panel headed by former Chief Justice of India, Justice KG Balakrishnan. The protesters demanded the arrest of Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide who, they alleged, were responsible for the violence against the Dalits.
PTI
Maratha outfit Sakal Maratha Kranti Morcha demands action against violent protesters
“We respect the sentiments of Dalits, but we condemn the violence in the state. The government must nab the culprits who started communal trouble.” Sakal Maratha Kranti Morcha told Hindustan Times .
Route between South Mumbai and Airport completely cleared: Mumbai Police
Prakash Ambedkar calls off Maharashtra bandh
Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar called off Maharashtra bandh after a day of unrest
Dalit protesters demand Milind Ekbote be charged with murder
“Unlike those in other states, we in Maharashtra have been responsible. We have not done drastic acts. But despite this, the exploitation of our community has continued. The Peshwa Raj has not ended. Ekbote should be charged with murder. We will protest until that’s done. We are not resorting to any sort of violence but are co-operating with the police. We want our voice to be heard,” says Nitin Dinkar Shelar, 40, a social worker from Pune.
Input from Shatakshi Gawade/101reporters
All tracks on Central Railways cleared
Film, TV shoots affected, some cancelled due to Maharashtra Bandh
The state-wide bandh called by Dalit groups affected the film and television industry with some shoots being disrupted and others being cancelled as a precautionary measure.
A song launch event of Kartik Aryan’s upcoming film “Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety” scheduled for today at a popular suburban restaurant was cancelled.
There was an ad shoot lined up for today but it is not happening now. No shoots are currently happening at the studio," a functionary from Mehboob studio said.
With inputs from PTI
Aurangabad police starts combing operation to arrest protesters resorting to violence
Aurangabad Police have begun combing operation at Ambedkar Nagar, Sanjay Nagar, Shambhu Nagar and Jawahar colony area, said a source from police department. Another source claimed that more than 35 miscreants have been taken into custody as a safety measure.
Input from Aarteeshymal Joshi/101Reporters
Maharashtra home ministry says no Dalit killed in Bhima Koregaon violence
Watch: Dalit groups protest outside residence of Milind Ekbote, the man allegedly behind Bhima-Koregaon incident
A group of protesters have surrounded the residence of Milind Ekbote, the man charged for orchestrating violence during celebrations of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon on Monday. A large group of protesters were gathered outside his home in Model Colony area in Pune.
Courtesy Shatakshi Gawade/101reporters
Traffic in Mumbai’s Western suburb partially cleared; Harbour line services restored
Traffic on Mumbai roads are slowly being restored to normal. According to latest reports, the Western Express Highway, which was chockablocked, until late afternoon has started clearing up. Traffic on Western Expressway near Dahisar Naka and Aarey Junction is moving now, however, the stretch near Thakur village is still clocked. Worli sea face road is clear, however, some traffic is reported from near Worli Naka. Western Suburbs, including borivali, Kandivali and Goregaon are still partially hit by protests.
Watch: Protesters torched private vehicle outside Godrej facility, Vikhroli
Courtesy: Shreyas Coelho
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University remained closed for the entire day
Image Courtesy: Aarteeshymal Joshi/101Reporters
War of words in Parliament over Bhima-Koregaon incident
As pandemonium broke out in the Rajya Sabha soon after the triple talaq bill was introduced, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the Opposition is using the issue of Bhima-Koregaon violence to deliberately prevent the passage of the bill.
The Opposition, which was demanding the prime minister’s statement on the issue, reacted strongly to the statement and Prasad was shouted down.
“We condemn the statement by Law Minister, that we are raising Bhima-Koregaon violence issue to stall the bill. We have been raising the issue of Dalit atrocities as this government is anti-Dalit,” senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said in Rajya Sabha.
Ambedkar Samaj supporters tried to barge into Mumbai collector’s office
Ambedkari Samaj, comprising of several Bahujan organisations, had come together to protest the Bhima-Koregaon attack on Monday. A delegation had gone to meet the Mumbai collector and submit a memorandum on the issue.
However, after the Dalit leaders’ group realised that the collector is not in office and their memorandum won’t be accepted, agitated Ambedkari Samaj members tried to force their way into collector’s office building. Kherwadi Police eventually closed the gates and prevented a break-in when women protesters took lead and tried to barge in.
Inputs from Geeta Desai/101reporters
Over 48 BEST buses damaged by stone-pelting mobs in Mumbai
The men behind Maharashtra bandh: Sambhaji Bhide, Milind Ekbote
On Tuesday, a criminal case was filed against two pro-Hindutva leaders, Milind Ekbote of Samast Hindu Aghadi, and Sambhaji Bhide of Shiv Pratishthan Hindustan, under charges of orchestrating violence during celebrations of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon on Monday. The two organisations had opposed the celebration of “British victory” in the battle.
Reports claimed that it’s no surprise that the duo haven’t been arrested yet as both have deep links with the RSS and wield considerable clout within the ruling dispensation in the state and at the Centre.
In the run-up to the 2014 General Election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Sangli “especially” to meet Bhide and had said that he had come to see ‘Guruji’ not on his request but on his order. Both Modi and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, top leaders of the ruling alliance in Maharashtra, were seen seeking Bhide’s in the run-up to the elections in 2014.
Another instance that shows the clout that Bhide enjoys is when the Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis halted his helicopter convoy to meet with Bhide and discuss an “imperative political matter.”
Read the full article hereProtesters from different parts of Pune join the protest
This group of protesters is from Kothrud area in Pune. They are marching towards the Ambedkar statue near Pune station.
_Shatakshi Gawade/101reporters_
RSS blames Leftists for violence
While denying any involvement in the ongoing caste violence in Maharashtra, the right-wing group has blamed the “JNU brigade” for the violence in the state.
Prakash Ambedkar discusses situation with Mumbai Police
A protester in Pune warning everyone to adhere to the bandh and avoid losses
Gunwanti Paraste/101reporters
Stone pelting, road blockades reported in Nagpur
Several markets and most schools in the city remained closed with protest marches taken out in many sensitive areas. Joint Commissioner of Police Shivaji Bodhke told PTI that two incidents of stone pelting were reported in the city. A man got injured in stone pelting in New Kamptee area, he said. Protesters blocked a road in Hingna area while tyres were set on fire on roads at some places, he said, adding that tight security arrangements have been made across the city.
Situation in Goregaon
Police making way for Virar train to arrive at Goregaon. The train towards churchgate was allowed to go after being stopped by protesters for 30 minutes.
Input from Yael Ajgarni
Outstation train held up at Kurla station
Mumbai-Hyderabad Hussain Sagar Express was held up just before it reached Kurla station.
Update from Malad
Protesters at Mith Chowky Malad disperse; some stay back, some move towards Marve Road. Vehicles have begun to ply on the road again.
Nilesh Mainkar, a peaceful protester in Pune, says that Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar has his support.
Gunwanti Paraste/101reporters
Vandalism at Dombivali station
Ticket window vandalized at Dombivali station. All up/down trains stopped till further notice.
Input from Anshul Vipat
Stone pelting between Mankhurd and Govandi station
Miscreants pelted stones at trains between Mankhurd and Govandi stations on the Harbour line. No injuries to anyone. Trains more or less empty.
Protest outside Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi
Students belonging to AISA are protesting against the Bhima-Koregaon violence in Maharashtra, reports CNN-News18. The student protesters are demanding judicial probe against those responsible for the violence.
This BJP government is a Brahmin government, says student leaders
Akash Mane, student leader and Shivajinagar head of Bharat Mukta Morcha, is an arts student at Abasaheb Garware College. He says that Marathas and the Bahujan Samaj are together. “People should know they have the power. This BJP government is a Brahmin government. They are trying to bring communal strife among the Maratha and Bahujan Samaj. We don’t want any violence. Media and the police don’t pay attention to our issues, so we decided to conduct this rally.”
Shatakshi Gawade/101reporters
Fast trains towards Thane stuck at Kurla
While special trains running between Kurla and CST from platform 3. Meanwhile, Harbour line running on time.
Stone pelting in Aurangabad
Situation in Bandra
Jignesh Mevani has nothing to do with violence