A day after a man vandalized a cement replica of the Constitution on the base of Dr BR Ambedkar’s statue outside the Parbhani railway station in Maharashtra’s Parbhani town, violent protests broke out in Marathwada district, about 500 km from Mumbai. , leading to the clamping of the prohibition order by the administration.
Two four-wheelers and 15-16 two-wheelers were damaged by a mob of protesters who had gathered outside the collector’s office on Wednesday to hand over a memorandum demanding “death penalty to the accused”, police said.
Inspector General of Police Shahaji Umap said that a person named Sopan Pawar vandalized the replica of the constitution and was beaten by locals and handed over to the police. On Tuesday too, there was general stone pelting on the truck in protest of the mob led by local Ambedkar activists.
Umap said, “During the interrogation, we found that the accused was suffering from some mental illness and was being treated by two doctors”, said Umap. But the locals have demanded that he should be hanged.
According to the police, around 400 protesters led by Republican Army Vice President Vijay Wakode reached the collector’s office led by Dr BR Ambedkar’s grandson Anandraj Ambedkar. The situation turned violent when the protestors started pelting stones around 1 pm.
Umap said that the CCTV camera and shop hoardings were damaged by stone pelting and the windows of two four-wheelers were damaged. About 15-16 two-wheelers fell into the roadside drain. The PVC pipe outside the shop caught fire. When the crowd turned violent, the police dispersed it by firing tear gas.
Prohibitory orders were imposed in the city, banning gatherings of five or more people in public places, and a company of the State Reserve Police Force was called in to help maintain law and order, a senior official said.
According to the officials, a bandh was also observed in Wasmat area of the district. Protesters blocked the railway track at Parbhani station on Tuesday evening and abused the loco pilot of Nandigram Express.
Umap said, ‘We have filed a complaint against government employees for obstructing their work. We have also added sections of the Criminal Amendment Act dealing with damage to public property. About 50 people have been detained. The accused include Anandraj Ambedkar, Wakode and former mayor Ravindra Sonkamble.
Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale has demanded a thorough investigation into the matter and strict action. The incident has hurt the sentiments of Ambedkarites. This is a serious crime which should be dealt with immediately,’ he said. However, he appealed to the people to avoid any violence and ensure communal harmony.
Prakash Ambedkar, president of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, said, “What happened is unfortunate. We do not rule out a political angle in the event. The state government should deal with the incident firmly and take necessary action against those who organized the incident.”
“I urge people not to express their anger through violence. You should not become a victim of politics,’ he said.
Ambedkarist leader and Mumbai Lok Sabha MP Varsha Gaikwad has demanded a detailed investigation into the incident. “How can anyone insult the constitution… Those arrested need to be investigated as to who is the mastermind,” she said.
Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar blamed the initial “lax approach” of the government and local administration. If necessary action had been taken immediately, the violence could have been stopped,’ he said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray said insulting the replica of the Constitution is reprehensible. Demanding strict action against the culprits, he also requested the movement to be carried out peacefully.