Communal tension gripped Kolhapur when two communities clashed on Wednesday during a bandh organised by Hindutva outfits prompting the police to lathicharge the protesters.
The situation has now been brought under control, said Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio.
After some young people posted offensive WhatsApp statuses, sparking outrage, the bandh was called to protest against them uploading objectionable status and lavishing praises on Aurangzeb.
Incidents of stone-pelting occurred in the second square of the city, Town Hall, and the Laxmipuri area after violence erupted between the two groups. A heavy deployment of police was seen in the area.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde reacting to the clashes told news agency ANI, “It’s the government’s responsibility to maintain law and order in the state. I also appeal to the public for peace and calm. Police investigation is underway and action will be taken against those found guilty.”
Kolhapur SP Mahendra Pandit told ANI that they had received a complaint about objectionable status and accordingly they registered two offences and detained five.
“Some organisations had given a call for ‘Kolhapur bandh’ today and they had gathered at a location. When their agitation concluded and they were returning, some miscreants pelted stones like yesterday. So, we have initiated legal action against them. The mob has been dispersed, and there is police deployment everywhere. The situation is under control.”
Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said on Wednesday that the ruling party “encourages” instances of communal violence.
“Incidents of communal clashes in Ahmednagar and Kolhapur have taken place over some mobile messages. What is the meaning of hitting the streets over such messages? Today’s ruling party encourages such things. Rulers should ensure peace and law and order. But if rulers start hitting the street and create enmity among two communities, that is not a good thing for the state,” Pawar said, as quoted by The Indian Express.