Day after Dalit protests in Maharashtra, Dalit bodies have called for state-wide shutdown
Mumbai: Groups of protesters descended on pockets of Mumbai and its neighbouring areas this morning to enforce the call for a shutdown by Dalit groups following Monday's caste clashes near Pune. In Mumbai, schools and colleges remained open but school buses stayed off roads as a precaution. The city's lifeline, the suburban trains and the BEST buses are plying normally. But in areas like Goregaon, Thane and Virar, slogan-shouting Dalit activists attempted a rail-blockade, but were foiled by security forces. Prohibitory orders banning large gatherings have been imposed in parts of Thane. Traffic is normal in areas like Chembur, where thousands of Dalits blocked roads yesterday, protesting against the government's failure to stop caste the Pune clashes in which a man died.
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The Mumbai police have said extra forces have been requisitioned and deployed in areas where they anticipate trouble. The police are moving in quickly to break up crowds or clear road blocks in different parts of the city to ensure protests don't escalate. They have also identified areas where internet could be suspended if needed to control rumours on social media.
Metro services at Ghatkopar and airport stations were suspended as a precautionary measure. Local train service at Harbour Line was disrupted following protests at Gowadi. Bus services to Satara and Baramati town were suspended this morning.
School buses did not ply in the morning, though schools are open. Class 11 exams at St Xavier's College in South Mumbai were cancelled, the college authorities said.
Mumbai's famous Dabbawallas suspended their services, citing difficulties in commuting. The head of the Dabbawala association Subhash Talekar said they would find it difficult to deliver tiffins on time.
The call for shutdown was given by Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of Dalit icon BR Ambedkar. Mr Ambedkar, who leads a Dalit group, yesterday said 250 groups were supporting the bandh call.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has spoken to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take stock of the situation. He was told that all possible efforts were being made to ensures normalcy in the state, news agency Press Trust of India reported quoting sources. Chief Minister Fadnavis has ordered an inquiry by a sitting High Court judge into Monday's violence.
On Tuesday, over 160 buses were damaged in Mumbai by protesters, the police said. The protesters also disrupted road traffic in the suburbs and local train services on the Harbour Line, blocked roads in several areas and forced shops to shut down. Over 100 protesters were detained in Mumbai on Tuesday.
The protests spread to Mumbai and other places in the state after clashes broke out on Monday while Dalit groups were celebrating 200 years of the Anglo-Maratha battle at Bhima-Koregaon near Pune. Dalit, who were part of the British forces and defeated upper caste Peshwas, celebrate January 1 as victory day.
The Pune police have registered cases against Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide, who head two local right-wing organisations, over Monday's clashes in which a man died and more than 12 people were injured. The two groups had opposed the Dalit celebrations, asking why a British victory was being celebrated. Chief Minister Fadnavis has ordered an inquiry by a sitting High Court judge into Monday's violence.
Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party has demanded a discussion on the Maharashtra caste clashes in the Rajya Sabha today. "The incident which occurred could have been prevented. The government should have made adequate security arrangements. There is BJP government in the state, they let violence take place. It seems casteist forces like the BJP and RSS are behind the violence," said Mayawati, who draws most of her support from Dalits.
