Mumbai, Jan 2: Tension gripped several parts of Mumbai as Dalits took to streets after Monday’s violence over the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle in Pune district. As the clashes between Dalit and Maratha communities turned violent, Mumbai Police issued a statement appealing people not to believe in rumours and to verify facts with the police before posting anything on social media. Traffic in areas like Chembur, Mulund and Sion, and local trains on Harbour Line were severely affected due to protest. Catch live updates on Bhima Koregaon violence and protest in Mumbai here. (ALSO READ: Bhima Koregaon Clashes: Check Mumbai Local Train Status on Harbour Line, Road Traffic Jams in Chembur, Mulund, Sion Amid Protests)
Incidents of stone-pelting were reported in Mulund, Chembur, Bhandup, Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar and Nehru Nagar in Kurla. Shops owners in these areas were forced to close their shops. Local trains on Harbour Line was affected due to ‘Rail Roko’ near Govandi and Chembur. Trains between CSMT to Kurla and between Mankhurd to Panvel are running. Several schools and colleges were also shut as a precautionary measure. Traffic has come to a standstill at the Eastern Express Highway as hundreds are sitting in protest.
Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, has called for a statewide bandh on Wednesday, while the Republic Party of India (RPI) has planned dharna outside all police stations. A Dalit activist from Gujarat and MLA Jignesh Mevani may visit Mumbai tomorrow to participate in the bandh, media reports suggested. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government will request the Supreme Court to conduct a judicial inquiry into the clashes during celebrations to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon in Pune district.
Protests erupted after an event to mark the 200th anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle in Pune district was marred by incidents of violence on Monday, with at least one person getting killed. Clashes broke out when a large group of people was celebrating the January 1, 1818, victory of British troops over Peshwa Bajirao II’s army in Koregaon Bhima. Some Dalit leaders and thinkers view its outcome as a victory of oppressed classes over the upper-caste establishment of those times.