ME NEWS BUREAU: Dalit, Maratha groups faced-off each other in Mumbai, Pune and several parts of Maharashtra after Dalits hit the streets in parts of Mumbai today to protest against the violence that took place 148 km away in Pune yesterday, during the bicentenary celebrations of the historic 1818 battle of Bhima-Koregaon.
Protesters destroyed hundreds of vehicles and disrupted road, rail transportation. Dalit groups had blocked the national highways earlier and called for Maharashtra bandh on Wednesday, resulted in announcing public holiday for schools and colleges.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered an enquiry to find the root cause of the violence. A sitting Judge will take care of the investigation.
Chief Minister Fadnavis has appealed for peace, saying Maharashtra is a progressive state which does not believe in castiest violence. He also warned that strict action will be taken against those who use social media to spread rumours.
Shops and business establishments were shut and more violence have been reported from Chembur, Vikhroli, Mankhurd and Govandi regions.
The main reason for the current violent protests was a war in 1818 between the British people and the Marathas, which the British force had won it ultimately. Interestingly, Dalit military unit was also a part of the British force that defeated the Marathas.
Dalits say that they were attacked during the bicentenary celebrations to mark the 1818 battle victory on January 1 at the memorial built near Pune to commemorate the Dalits who died in that war.
Verbal spat was turned into stone pelting and gone out of control where Gujarat MLA Gignesh Mevani was also a part of the function.
