Buses Vandalised as Bhima Koregaon Violence Spreads to MP, Gujarat
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Two people have been killed and several injured after violence broke out across Maharashtra following clashes on 1 January at an event to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Koregaon near Pune. FIRs have been registered now against Gujarat MLA and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani and JNU scholar Umar Khalid for allegedly inciting communal hatred.
Right wing leaders Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide were slapped with FIRs, too, but they are yet to be arrested. Meanwhile, reports of sporadic violence and road roko protests are popping up from Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
- Protests intensify in Gujarat, violence reported from Madhya Pradesh
- FIRs registered against Jignesh Mevani and Umar Khalid for allegedly inciting hatred
- Maharashtra CM Fadnavis assures an inquiry into the violence
- 16 FIRs registered in Maharashtra for violence, 300 detained
- Milind Ekbote and Shambaji Bhide, both right-wing leaders, have been booked under the SC/ST Atrocities Act, but are yet to be arrested
286 BEST Buses Damaged So Far in Violence
286 BEST buses have been damaged so far in stone pelting incidents during Bhima Koregaon violence.
The total approximate damage cost is Rs 20,51,760, reported ANI.
Ambedkar Meets Maharashtra CM
Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar on Thursday said the Maharashtra government has agreed to initiate action against those who instigated caste violence in Pune district.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has agreed to initiate action against those responsible for the 1 January violence at Bhima-Koregaon village near Pune that led to the death of one person and damage to property.
The panel will have powers to recommend penal action.
"I do not know whether the state is going to arrest Sambhaji Bhidem or not," he said, referring to the right-wing leader, who among others, has been blamed for the caste unrest.
Violence in Madhya Pradesh: Buses Attacked, Driver Injured
A bandh called in Burhanpur town in Madhya Pradesh to protest Bhima Koregaon caste clashes in Maharashtra's Pune district took a violent turn on Thursday with a mob allegedly damaging 12 vehicles and stoning trucks plying on Ichhapur-Indore state highway.
Burhanpur district shares common border with Jalgaon, Amravati, Buldhana, and Akola districts of Maharashtra which witnessed protests during the bandh on Wednesday.
A senior police official said the windowpanes of 11 private buses parked at the inter-state bus stand and the windshield of a truck were broken by unidentified persons in the noon.
ANI reports incidents of Bhima Koregaon violence spreading to Madhya Pradesh. At the Pushpak Bus Stand in Burhanpur, MP, 12 buses were vandalised. A bus driver who was injured has been hospitalised.
Eye witnesses said that the mob attempted to torch a bus but was chased away by police personnel present at the spot. They said stones were hurled at at least six trucks on Ichchhapur-Indore state highway as a result of which traffic came to a standstill briefly.
However, Superintendent of Police Pankaj Shrivastava denied that any attempt was made to set any bus on fire.
Road Roko Protests Intensify in Gujarat, Buses Shifted for Safekeeping
ANI reports that protesters waving Ambedkarite flags blocked Madhuram Bypass road in Junagadh. Traffic has taken a hit with jams in areas leading in and out of Junagadh.
Buses at the Junagadh depot have been shifted to a division workshop to prevent damage, in the wake of protests spreading to Gujarat.
Protesters burned tyres on the Chansma-Radhanpur highway on 3 January. Bus services in many parts of Saurashtra were halted on the night of 3 January.
Earlier in the day, protesters also carried out “road roko” protests blocking off the Rajkot-Somnath National Highway near Junagadh.
FIRs Registered Against Jignesh Mevani & Umar Khalid
An FIR has been registered against Jignesh Mevani and Umar Khalid under sections 153(A) (Promoting religious enmity & hatred), 505 (Making statements to incite an offence) and 117 (Abetting an offence by more than 10 persons) of the IPC, at Pune’s Vishrambaug Police Station for alleged offences.
This comes after complaints were filed against the two for allegedly making statements to spark protests. Meanwhile, two right wing leaders, Sambhaji Bhide of Shiv Pratishthan Hindustan, and Milind Ekbote of the Samast Hindu Aghadi who had FIRs registered against them under the SC/ST Atrocities Act at Pune’s Pimpri police station, are yet to be arrested.
Jignesh Tweets About Modi: India Has World's Best Actor
Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani posted a tweet implying that the PM is the “world’s best actor” as predicted by Nostradamus.
The tweet came shortly after the Pune Police said they were looking into Jignesh Mevani and Umar Khalid’s role in inciting violence.
16 FIRs Registered, 300 Detained for Violence, Schools Reopen in Mahrashtra
The Maharashtra police said that it has registered 16 FIRs related to the Bhima Koregaon unrest across the state and detained as many as 300 people. Police are yet to act against the two right-wing leaders, Milind Ekbote and Shambaji Bhide, who have been booked for carrying out atrocities against SC/ST for inciting the violence.
Schools also reopened in Maharashtra on 4 January, after the bandh call was withdrawn.
Removal of Mahar Samadhi Tombstone Triggered Bhima Koregaon Violence: Reports
Apart from the commemoration of the battle of Koregaon, the destruction of a Dalit hero’s tombstone near Pune could have triggered the violence in Bhima Koregaon on 1 January, The Indian Express reported.
The incident reportedly took place in Vadhu Budruk village, around 30 kilometres from Pune, where the tombstone of Govind Gopal, a Dalit hero, was removed overnight, and the area around it vandalised.
Forty-nine people have been booked for the desecration of the site and 9 have been arrested. Cases have been registered against Sambhaji Bhide and Milind Ekbote under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act at Pune’s Pimpri police station, for inciting the desecration of the tombs.
The Dalit community believes Govind Gopal performed the last rites of Sambhaji, son of Maratha king Shivaji, in defiance of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, leading to his tombstone being built there.
However, a number of residents of Vadhu Budruk believe Sambhaji and Govind Gopal weren’t alive during the same period, leading to the desecration of his tombstone.
PM Must Make Stance Clear on Bhima Koregaon Violence: Prakash Ambedkar
Prakash Ambedkar said that PM Modi reveres one of the accused in the Bhima Koregaon violence, Sambhaji Bhide, as his ‘guru’ and said the Prime Minister should make his stand clear on the caste violence in Maharashtra.
Ambedkar, the grandson of Dr BR Ambedkar and the leader of the agitation, issued a call to withdraw the Maharashtra bandh on 3 January.
Reports of Unrest in Gujarat
Reports of unrest roll in from Gujarat. Protesters burn tyres on the Chansma-Radhanpur highway. Bus services in many parts of Saurashtra were halted on the night of 3 January. Buses in Junagadh have been shifted from depots to a division workshop to prevent damage, in the wake of protests spreading to Gujarat.
Earlier on 3 January, hundreds of Dalit men and women gathered under the banner of Samast Ambedkar Samaj. They briefly staged a peaceful rally in front of a stationary train at Udhna Railway Station and blocked a road, affecting the movement of traffic for a while.
Teen Dies While Fleeing Police During Bandh Protest in Nanded
Yogesh Jadhav, a 16-year-old boy who was part of the mob blocking a road during the Maharashtra bandh in Nanded city, was crushed to death while escaping police on Wednesday, 3 January.
The incident occurred in Hadgaon area of Nanded in Marathwada region on 3 January, when protesters were blocking a road, a police official said.
Meanwhile, another official said that protesters have alleged that Jadhav died in police lathicharge.
Kapil Sibal Defends Jignesh Mevani
Commenting on the allegations against Jignesh Mevani of making provocative statements, Congress leader Kapil Sibal said:
Sibal’s comments came after complaints were lodged against Jignesh Mevani and Umar Khalid for allegedly making provocative statements on 31 December
Ram Vilas Paswan Seeks Time-Bound Inquiry, Strict Action
Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan called for a time-bound inquiry on Wednesday into the Maharashtra caste violence and said strict action should be taken against those found guilty.
Paswan, chief of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) which is an NDA ally, also rejected the charge that such violence was taking place mostly in BJP-ruled states, saying that Bihar had witnessed a number of such incidents under the rule of Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Prasad.
Condemning the violence, Paswan said that there was also a need to find out the reasons for the caste violence in Maharashtra which had no such history.
The new generation cannot accept caste-based violence and discrimination, he said.
12 Flights Cancelled, 235 Delayed at Mumbai Airport on Wednesday
Flight operations at the Mumbai airport were badly hit due to the Maharashtra bandh on Wednesday, with 12 flights getting cancelled and 235 delayed.
As many as 182 flight departures and 53 arrivals at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) were delayed till around 4 pm, according to a website tracking real-time flight status at airports across the world.
Of the 12 cancelled flights, seven were departures and five were arriving ones, as per the website.
When contacted, a Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) spokesperson said the "flights (are) landing and taking off on time".
The spokesperson, however, said the arriving passengers were stranded at the terminal, despite the airport operator arranging civic-run BEST buses for them, as the buses were stopped (by protesters) from coming to CSIA.
Crew members of various airlines also reported late at the airport due to traffic disruptions.
Inquiry Will be Conducted Into the Incidents of Violence: Devendra Fadnavis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday asserted that inquiry will be conducted into the incidents of violence that took place across Maharashtra.
Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani Holds High-Level Meet After Bhima Koregaon Violence
As several parts of Mahashtra witnessed a bandh on Wednesday in the aftermath of the Bhima-Koregaon violence, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani held a high-level meeting in Gandhinagar.
Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, Chief Secretary JN Singh as well as Transport and Home Department officials were present in the meeting.
The agitation had reached Gujarat earlier in the day, with Dalit leaders staging protests outside the BJP office in Surat’s Udhna.
Train Services in Mumbai Expected to Run Normally in the Evening
Here is the Central Railway update issued at 4 pm on Wednesday:
- Suburban Trains run - 820
- Trains cancelled - 110
- Shuttle/special services run - 30
- Delay 20-25 minutes. Evening peak services expected to run normally.
Long-distance trains update at 4 pm:
- 150 mail/Express trains (including trains which pass through Mumbai).
- No cancellation at all.
- We are committed to ensure smooth operation of trains on Central Railway.
Dalit Leader Prakash Ambedkar Withdraws Maharashtra Bandh Call
Dalit activist and grandson of BR Ambedkar, Prakash Ambedkar has withdrawn the Maharashtra bandh call.
The Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh told reporters that nearly 50 percent of the state's population took part in the shutdown.
Road blockades, arson and stone-pelting incidents were reported in Mumbai and elsewhere during the day.
However, Ambedkar, claimed that the bandh was peaceful.
There Has Been no Death of a Person From the Dalit Community: MoS Deepak Kesarkar
Speaking on the situation in Maharashtra, Deepak Kesarkar, Minister of State for Home (Rural) in the state, urged people to be cautious about the wrong messages being spread on social media.
Some Shout Slogans, Others Hold Silent Protest
Protesters shouted slogans as they rallied on board their motorcycles outside the Dadar East station in Mumbai. They were trying to ensure that the shops in the area remain shut.
A silent protest was also held by members of the Ambedkari Kranti Dal outside the Dadar station.
Local Trains in Mumbai Running Intermittently
Local trains are running intermittently due to protests across different stations in Central Mumbai. The protesters have staged 'rail roko andolans', leading to accumulation of massive crowds at several stations.
Political Leaders Spar Over Bhima Koregaon Violence in Rajya Sabha
The Bhima Koregaon unrest rocked Parliament on Wednesday, with the Opposition raising it in the Rajya Sabha.
Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad alleged the issue was raised deliberately to stall the Triple Talaq Bill.
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad condemned Prasad’s statement.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said:
Protest in Gujarat
Dalit leaders staged protests outside the BJP office in Surat’s Udhna. Hundreds of Dalit community members gathered under the banner of Samast Ambedkar Samaj and took out a rally. They briefly staged a dharna in front of a stationary train at Udhna Railway Station and blocked a road, affecting the movement of traffic for a while.
NDA Minister Ramdas Athawale Defends Jignesh Mevani
A complaint had been lodged against Gujarat MLA and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani for allegedly instigating violence with his speech at the Shaniwar Wada event in Pune on 31 December – an event attended by JNU scholar Umar Khalid, and Rohith Vemula’s family.
In a statement on 3 January, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said:
Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad pulled up the Centre for the “atrocities being inflicted on Dalits since the last 3 and a half years, since BJP came to power in the Centre”
Violence Escalates, Journalists & Media Reportedly Attacked
As protests intensify and violence escalates in Mumbai, reports of journalists being attacked by protesters have been coming in.
A reporter for NDTV was reportedly slapped by protesters. The Quint also found some demonstrators heckling TV reporters and forcing them to pack up their equipment and move.
The Mumbai Police has taken to posting regular updates on their Twitter page about what roads are safe, and which areas to avoid. Follow them here and stay safe.
Residents take to Twitter to share their horror at what appears to be a crisis that’s only growing stronger. The video below was shared from Bandra.
ANI reported that local AC trains have been suspended in lieu of the protests. Non-AC local train services will continue amid intermittent protests. Long distance trains, however, will continue with no cancellations.
Kharge Asks PM to Speak on Violence, Church Urges Peace
In the Lok Sabha, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge demanded that PM Modi make an appearance and issue a statement abouth the violence.
Mallikarjun Kharge also said, "A Supreme Court judge should be appointed for inquiry in Bhima Koregaon violence. The PM should also give a statement, he can't stay mum! He is a 'Mauni baba on such issues.”
Kharge also blamed the RSS for instigating the violence.
The Indian Express reported that The Catholics Bishops’ Conference of India issued a statement condemning the violence against Dalits and appealed for peace and harmony in Maharashtra. “We are saddened by the disturbing reports of an uncalled for attack on Dalits in Pune, Maharashtra,” it states in a press release, as reported by the Indian Express.
Transport Services Halted, Passengers Attacked, Mumbai in Crisis
In Thane, four people were injured after two buses and an auto were vandalised reportedly by protesters.
Security around Delhi’s Maharashtra Sadan has also been intensified in the wake of the Bhima Koregaon protests and violence.
Mumbai’s local trains have come to a standstill, with residents taking to Twitter to share the situation on the ground.
Hindustan Times reported two separate incidents of stone-pelting from Pune at Sukhsagar Nagar bus terminus and Sinhagad Road.
Maharashtra Tense, Protests Continue, Transport at a Near Standstill
Protesters blocked off the eastern expressway and parts of Ghatkopar. 35,000 police personnel have been deployed across Mumbai, with demonstrators carrying Ambedkarite flags and holding road and rail roko protests.
35,000 police personnel have been deployed for security across Mumbai.
The Quint brings you this update on the Railways crisis.
Metro services between Mumbai’s Asalfa and Ghatkopar metro stations were stopped by protesters, ANI reported.
ANI reports shops being shut down forcibly in many parts of Mumbai with reports of protest from across the city.
Protests have erupted in other parts of Maharashtra including Nagpur’s Shatabdi Square as well.
Notice Issued in Both Houses of Parliament Over Bhima Koregaon Violence
The Bhima Koregaon violence finds mention in Parliament. In both houses, Congress leaders moved for an adjournment on account of the Bhima Koregaon violence. Mallikarjun Kharge gave notice for adjournment in the Lok Sabha under Rule 56. In the Rajya Sabha, Congress MP Rajni Patil gave a notice for adjournment as well under Rule 267.
CPI leader D Raja gave zero hour notice in the Rajya Sabha over "increasing atrocities against Dalits."
Jan Adhikar Party leader and Madhepura MP Pappu Yadav gave an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha over the Bhima Koregaon violence.
Internet Suspended in Aurangabad, Mumbai Crippled By Transport Crisis
Internet services in Aurangabad have been suspended and bus operations in and out of the city have taken a hit. While this continues, protesters have gathered in parts of Mumbai and even halted train services briefly.
Cabs and other transport services in Maharashtra are few and far in between. Inter-state buses from Karnataka to Maharashtra have also been suspended. Below is a video of a bus in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar that was allegedly attacked.
Train services have taken another hit, with protesters occupying railway tracks.
Firstpost reported that suburban train services on Mumbai’s main, harbour, and trans-harbour lines were running uninterrupted save for a few minutes of agitation at Diwa, Titwala, and Vasind.
In parts of Thane, protesters halted buses and deflated their tires.
While the crisis continues, Mumbai police has urged calm and asked people to continue with their daily routines, despite the transport issues, reports of protests, and school closures.
Many Schools in Mumbai & Thane Shut
A number of schools & colleges in Mumbai, Pune & Thane remain shut today on account of the Bhima Koregaon violence and heightened safety concerns.
Transport Services Across Maharashtra Take a Hit
ANI reported that bus services to Pune’s Baramati and Satara had been suspended till further orders.
ANI reported that a number of people were seen waiting in long lines, on account of little to no transport available. In parts of Mumbai, cab services were also unavailable, with apps Uber & Ola showing no cabs, or few cabs accepting passengers.
Agitations in Parts of Mumbai, Airlines Waive Cancellation Fees
CNN-News 18 reported, in a tweet, that there were agitations and bursts of unrest at Santosh Nagar Nala, Hanuman Nagar Bus Stop, Film City road, and Dindoshi in Mumbai.
Hindustan Times reported that airlines had waived cancellation charges for ticket cancellations and no-shows because of the continuing unrest.
Air India stated that it will not charge any fee for ticket cancellations or rescheduling of a journey to and from Mumbai on 2 and 3 January.
Private carriers Jet Airways and IndiGo extended the waiver to customers till 3 January and said this covers both Mumbai and Pune. Jet Airways which had waived cancellation charges in and out of Pune and Bombay have now extended the waiver to Aurangabad airport as well.
Colleges Shut, Dabbawallas Won't Work, Maharashtra Tense
The Mumbai Dabbawallas Association has announced that it will not run its delivery service today. The association is responsible for thousands of lunch and food deliveries every single day, and carries a reputation of diligent and regular work, often even in the most extreme conditions.
Increased Security Deployment Across Mumbai & Pune, Mumbai Police Urges Calm
Security across Mumbai has been raised on account of the Bhima Koregaon violence. ANI tweeted an image of increased police and reserve police forces presence in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar and Eastern Expressway. Mumbai is expected to remain tense today as dalit groups called for a Mahrashtra shutdown after the death of a civilian in attacks on dalits in and around Bhima Koregaon on 1 January.
Simultaneously, the Mumbai Police issued an advisory to residents to not believe rumours and to continue with their routine as usual.
Protesters Halt a Train, Section 144 Imposed in Thane till 4 January
ANI tweeted an image of protesters carrying flags of the dalit rights and Ambedkar movement, who had reportedly stopped a train at Thane station.
CNN News-18 reported that Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code, restricting the unlawful assembly of persons, has been imposed in Thane on account of continued tensions and calls for a Maharashtra bandh by local pro-dalit groups.
No School Buses on Mumbai Roads Today
On account of the violence and unrest, no school buses will be active on the streets of Mumbai today, The School Bus Owners’ Association said to ANI.
Shiv Sena Alleges Political Conspiracy Behind Violence
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut has alleged political conspiracy behind the Bhima Koregaon violence stating that there are “invisible hands that want to finish Maharashtra.”
Raut added that leaders in the past had never let the state be divided on caste lines.
Raut added that the widespread violence was “shocking, and a matter of concern to all" and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should track down the perpetrators.
RSS Releases Statement Condemning Violence
The RSS statement came on the tail of allegations by BSP chief Mayawati that the “BJP, RSS & other caste forces” were behind the violence, and an attack by Rahul Gandhi on the RSS and the BJP.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Watch The Quint's Ground Report from Chembur
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 services on the Harbour Line between Chembur and Govandi have also been affected following protests. Demonstrations were also held at Amar Mahal Junction in Chembur.
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.
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.
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