Bhima Koregaon Clashes: Complaint Lodged Against Jignesh, Umar

Stone-pelting and violent clashes broke out between Dalit groups and Marathas following an argument, during an event which was to mark the 200th anniversary of the Koregaon battle near Pune, on Monday, 1 January.

In the battle that took place in 1818, the British Army comprising Dalits had defeated upper-caste Peshwas.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that his government will seek a judicial inquiry into the violence at Bhima Koregaon, which left one person dead and many more injured.

• A case has been registered against two persons at Pune’s Pimpri Police Station
• A complaint was filed against Jignesh Mevani and Umar Khalid for allegedly making provocative statements
• More than 100 people have been detained over different locations across Mumbai
• Local train services on the Harbour Line between Chembur and Govandi have been affected
• Chairperson of Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh, Prakash Yashwant Ambedkar called for a bandh across Maharashtra on Wednesday
• Devendra Fadnavis called for a judicial inquiry into the violence
• Local pro-Dalit groups called for “rasta roko” protests in Bhima Koregaon, Aurangabad, and other parts of Maharashtra today

RSS Releases Statement Condemning Violence

Complaint Filed Against Jignesh, Umar

A complaint was received on Tuesday against Jignesh Mevani and Umar Khalid at Pune’s Deccan Police Station for allegedly making provocative statements that led to tension between the two communities.

Situation in Chembur is Now Under Control: The Quint Reports from Ground Zero

The situation in Chembur is now under control after #BhimaKoregaonViolence spilled over to Mumbai and other areas. The Quint's reporter @rounaknagpur brings you the updates. pic.twitter.com/as2OyQWaRV

— The Quint (@TheQuint) January 2, 2018

RSS-BJP Want Dalits to be at The Bottom: Rahul

Congress President Rahul Gandhi snubbed the RSS-BJP for their “fascist vision”. “A central pillar of the RSS/BJP’s fascist vision for India is that Dalits should remain at the bottom of Indian society,” he wrote.

A central pillar of the RSS/BJP’s fascist vision for India is that Dalits should remain at the bottom of Indian society. Una, Rohith Vemula and now Bhima-Koregaon are potent symbols of the resistance.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 2, 2018

Mayawati Suspects BJP Hand in Violence

BSP Chief, Mayawati said she suspects a BJP-RSS hand in the violence that broke out during the anniversary of 200th year of the Battle of Koregaon.

The incident could have been prevented. The government should have arranged for security. But instead the BJP government in Maharashtra allowed for violence to take place.

Umar Khalid Responds to “Misreporting”

Umar Khalid rubbished reports that suggested that he and Jignesh Mevani are responsible for stoking the violence that broke out on the 200th anniversary of Koregaon Battle near Pune between Dalit and Maratha groups.

People calling me about Times Now & Republic TV misreporting of the attack on dalits at Koregaon, pls dont give them attention.They are funded jokers of the BJP doing their duty- lying, fabricating news & diverting attention. Hoping peace prevails in Maharasthra & justice too.

— Umar Khalid (@UmarKhalidJNU) January 2, 2018

Case Registered Against Two People

In Pune, cases were registered by the Pimpri police against Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide, who head the Hindu Ekta Aghadi and Shivraj Pratishthan respectively, for allegedly inciting the violence. The two organisations had opposed the celebration of “British victory” in the battle.

100 Detained in Mumbai

More than 100 people have been detained over different locations across Mumbai.

Section 144 Imposed in Nanded

Solapur, Thane and Ahmednagar are a few other affected areas where stone pelting was report. Section 144 has been imposed in Nanded.

Security Tightened in Chembur

Special train services have been resumed on Harbour line between CSMT-Kurla and Mankhurd. All other services on Central Railway running normally.

Meanwhile, security has been tightened in Mumbai’s Chembur locality.

Bus, Train Services Affected

Pro-Dalit protestors stopped traffic on the Sion-Panvel highway near Chembur on 2 January. Local train serviceson the Harbour Line between Chembur and Govandi have also been affected following protests. Demonstrations were also held at Amar Mahal Junction in Chembur.

Don’t believe in rumours. Traffic on Eastern expressway was affected due to protests. It’s moving now. Traffic at Chembur Naka is still affected. There is nothing to panic. Verify facts with police officers and men before posting anything on social media.

— Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) January 2, 2018

Instances of stone pelting have been reported from all the above-mentioned areas. According to The Indian Express, protestors damaged the entrance of the Shiv Sena office in Chembur.

Meanwhile, bus services between Ahmadnagar and Aurangabad were suspended after a few buses were vandalised in Hadaspar and Fursungi in protests led by Marathas.

Pune: Buses vandalised in Hadapsar, Fursungi; all bus services to Ahemadnagar, Aurangabad suspended #BhimaKoregaonViolence pic.twitter.com/8ZH7zNsfwD

— ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2018

CR update: Harbour line trains running between CSMT and Kurla & Mankhurd/Vashi and Panvel only. Main line and Transharbour trains are running. @RidlrMUM @drmmumbaicr @mumbairailusers

— Central Railway (@Central_Railway) January 2, 2018

A journalist was attacked as groups of youths from Chembur, Vikhroli, Mankhurd and Govandi joined the protest, NDTV reported.

Prakash Ambedkar Calls for Statewide Bandh on Wednesday

The chairperson of Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh — Prakash Yashwant Ambedkar, who is also the grandson of Babasaheb Ambedkar, has called for a bandh across Maharashtra on Wednesday.

Ambedkar alleged that Hindu Ekta Aghadi was responsible for the violence.

He said Maharashtra Democratic Front, Maharashtra Left Front, besides 250 organisations, have supported tomorrow’s shutdown.

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.

All Dalit groups have urged its members to maintain peace.

Local Pro-Dalit Groups Call for Protests

Local pro-Dalit groups called for “rasta roko” protests in Bhima Koregaon, Aurangabad, and other parts of Maharashtra on 2 January against the violence. Solapur and parts of Mumbai’s suburbs witnessed violence on 2 January. ANI said that Mumbai’s local train service between Chembur and Govandi was affected because of the protests.

Fadnavis Orders Probe

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday, 2 January, said a judicial inquiry will be sought into the violence which erupted during the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Koregaon battle in Pune district.

Two incidents of violence occurred in Bhima Koregaon on 1 January 2018. First, in the afternoon when people were heading towards a war memorial in the village. This is when “individuals carrying saffron flags” reportedly pelted stones at cars headed to the memorial, reported Scroll.

Opposition party NCP’s chief Sharad Pawar condemned the violence, asking why despite it being the 200th anniversary of the event, with a larger number of attendees expected, there wasn’t more police protection at the event.

Ramdas Athawale, Union MinisterDalit groups visiting Bhima Koregaon village in vehicles were halted at Sanaswadi, a village near Koregaon. Stones were hurled at them. No police force was available for their protection.

-The Quint