Mumbai Bandh LIVE Updates: An event led by Dalits to mark the 200th anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle in Pune district, in which forces of the East India Company defeated Peshwa’s army, turned violent on Monday afternoon when a clash broke out, leaving at least one person dead. Following the clash, there were calls for Mumbai Bandh. The clashes had led to at least one person being killed and several injured. Many trains operations were stalled by hundreds of people at Mulund, Chembur, Bhandup, Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar in Vikhroli and Nehru Nagar in Kurla. Additional Commission of Police Lakhmi Gautam said, “There are groups of people attempting a raasta roko (to block the way). The police have managed to avoid it so far.” Dalit organisations called for a bandh in Maharastra tomorrow. On Twitter, Congress President Rahul Gandhi slammed RSS and BJP for the protests happened today in Mumbai. Gandhi wrote, “A central pillar of the RSS/BJP’s fascist vision for India is that Dalits should remain at the bottom of Indian society. Una, Rohith Vemula and now Bhima-Koregaon are potent symbols of the resistance.”
Here are the Mumbai Bandh LIVE Updates:
1:20 PM RSS condemns incidents of violence in Maharashtra
12:20 PM BSP chief Mayawati targeted the BJP and RSS over the violence in Maharashtra claiming that it seemed “casteist forces” were behind the clashes while also blaming the state government for not making adequate arrangements to prevent them.
11:25 PM Meanwhile, Domestic carriers, including the government-owned Air India, have waived charges for ticket cancellations and no show due to the ongoing unrest in parts of Maharashtra. Air India said it will not charge any fee for cancellation of tickets or rescheduling of a journey to/from Mumbai on January 2 and 3.
10.15 PM: Earlier today in Pune, cases were registered by the Pimpri police against Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide, who heads the Hindu Ekta Aghadi and Shivraj Pratishthan respectively, for allegedly inciting the violence. The two organisations had opposed the celebration of “British victory” in the battle.
10.00 PM: Complaint against Jignesh Mevani & Umar Khalid received at Pune’s Deccan Police Station. Complainant alleges they made provocative statements that led to tension between two communities.
9.45 PM: Slamming the judicial inquiry ordered today by the chief minister into the violence as a sham, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said the RSS and its affiliates were responsible for the incident.
9.30 PM: Group of NCP workers staged a protest outside Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ office today over the violence in Pune that left one person dead.
9.15 PM: Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde said the violence was unfortunate and condemnable.
9.05 PM: Earlier today, AAP spokesperson Preeti Sharma Menon said the Fadnavis government failed to keep the peace. “The attack has resulted in unrest across the state between upper caste Hindus and Dalits,” she said.
8.55 PM: Earlier today, Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan condemned the violence and urged people not to believe in rumours. Antisocial elements were trying to create tensions between Dalits and Maratha communities for political benefit, he said.
8.45 PM: Mumbai faces huge traffic jam after the protests today!
8.30 PM: “Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Sabha (ABHS), Peshwa heirs, had opposed the event. We held talks with ABHS after which they decided against opposing,” said Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of Bhimrao Ambedkar earlier today.
8.15 PM: Earlier today, Mumbai Police controlling the agitated mob.
8.00 PM: Yeh jo ghatna ghati hai yeh roki ja sakti thi. Sarkaar ko wahan suraksha ka uchit prabandh karna chahiye tha. Wahan BJP ki sarkaar hai aur unhone wahan hinsa karayi, lagta hai iske peeche BJP,RSS aur jaati wadi takaton ka haath hai: BSP Chief Mayawati on Bhima Koregaon Violence
7.50 PM: Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of Dalit icon B R Ambedkar, said a judicial probe ordered by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis into the violence should be headed by the chief justice of high court and not by a sitting judge.
7.40 PM: Supporters of jailed NCP leader and former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal (70) today held protests at various places in Nashik district demanding his release. Bhujbal was arrested in March 2016 in Mumbai by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with its probe in a money laundering case
7.30 PM: Congress MLA Nitesh Rane will hold a protest at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai on January 15 against the “corruption” in the Shiv Sena-ruled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in granting licenses to hotels in the city.
7.20 PM: Bhima Koregaon battle is where the East India Company defeated Peshwa’s army in Pune district. This was the 200th-anniversary of the battle. Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory, as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community — then considered untouchable — were part of the East India Company’s forces.
7.15 PM: In the clashes today in Mumbai, two journalists have been hurt.
7.05 PM: Traffic has now returned to normal in Mumbai, reports CNN News 18.
7.00 PM: 134 state busses have been damaged in the stir so far.
6.55 PM: Rail services on a main line across the city were disrupted.
Express photos By Pradip Das, 2nd Jan 2017, Mumbai.
6.45 PM: More than 100 people have been detained from different locations: Mumbai Police PRO.
6.40 PM: Ambedkar alleged that villagers were provoked by the Shivraj Pratisthan while the Hindu Ekta Agadhi hurled stones at people going towards the Koregaon war memorial.
6.30 PM: “If there was any tension, the 200th-anniversary commemoration of the Bhima Koregaon battle would not have taken place. Yesterday’s programme was organised by Sambhaji Brigade (a Maratha organisation),” Prakash Ambedkar said while addressing a press conference.
6.25 PM: Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of Dalit icon B R Ambedkar, has appealed for peace during the bandh period.
6.20 PM: Protesters vandalized a vehicle in Mumbai’s Chembur area.
6:11 PM: What has happened… what is happening… I feel that someone is playing a political game to destabilise Maharashtra and end its social engineering: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, as per Times Now report.
5:53 PM: WATCH|
WATCH | Majeed Memom, in conversation with @swati_joshi14 on #MaharashtraCasteClash pic.twitter.com/1LabXoYRIL
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) January 2, 2018
5:47 PM: We initially begin with appeal to everybody to keep cool, don’t get provoked and don’t resort to violence: Majeed Memon, NCP, as per Times Now report.
5:37 PM: As per Times Now report, Umer Khalid and Jignes Mevani’s role is under lens.
5:31 PM: Commuters are advised to avoid these roads for the moment. Request you to take LBS Road as an alternate where traffic is moving though slow, Mumbai Police tweeted.
5:26 PM: Mumbai police has been acting actively to control the situation.
Following diversions have been affected due to the agitations
1. Vikroli north and south bound diverted to LBS road.
2. JVLR diverted towards Saki Vihar
3. Sion Panvel Highway diverted at Umarshi Bappa Chowk to Jhama Mahal Chowk to Panjrapol #TrafficUpdate— Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) January 2, 2018
5:23 PM: Union minister Ramdas Athwale also reacted on the situation.
WATCH|
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale reacts on #MaharashtraCasteClash pic.twitter.com/2XXfAFapyN
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) January 2, 2018
5:20 PM: Congress president Rahul Gandhi reacted on the situation.
A central pillar of the RSS/BJP’s fascist vision for India is that Dalits should remain at the bottom of Indian society. Una, Rohith Vemula and now Bhima-Koregaon are potent symbols of the resistance.
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) January 2, 2018
5:17 PM: Shiv Sena alleges conspiracy behind the violence, as per Times Now.
4:59 PM: Due to agitation in Mumbai, traffic congestion is reported on Eastern Express Highway (at Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar, Cheda Nagar and Kamraj Nagar), as per Republic TV.
4:57 PM: Maharashtra: Republican Party of India workers protest in Thane.
4:55 PM: Security heightened in Mumbai’s Chembur, as per ANI report.
4:52 PM: Over 100 people detained by police in Mumbai, as per CNN News18 report.
4:47 PM: Watch|
4:40 PM: List of buses that were affected.
4:39 PM: WATCH|
Maharashtra CM @Dev_Fadnavis orders judicial enquiry for #BhimaKoregaon incident.
Also orders a CID enquiry for the death of a youth & an assistance of ₹10 lakh to his kin.
Strict action will be taken against the all those who are spreading rumours & trying to invoke violence. pic.twitter.com/TvMVVgSWRV— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) January 2, 2018
4:36 PM: Special train services being run on Harbour line between CSMT-Kurla and Mankhurd. All other services on Central Railway running normally.
4:30 PM: WATCH|
Caste violence in Maharashtra: MoS Home Kiren Rijiju says the Centre is closely monitoring the situation in the state #MaharashtraCasteClash pic.twitter.com/3Q7gK2FCPW
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) January 2, 2018
4:22 PM: Earlier, it was reported that section 144 was imposed but however, now after clarification it is clear that now suck act has been imposed.
4:12 PM: Mumbai Police has been active to control the situation.
Don’t believe in rumours. Traffic on Eastern expressway was affected due to protests. It’s moving now. Traffic at Chembur Naka is still affected. There is nothing to panic. Verify facts with police officers and men before posting anything on social media.
— Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) January 2, 2018
4:09 PM: Damage to property is there and an unfortunate death is there. To disperse the crowd, tear gas was used but the situation was controlled well to a certain extent, says Deepak Kesarkar, MoS Home, Maharashtra on the Koregaon incident, as per Times Now report.
4:07 PM: Women, children among hundreds are sitting on the Eastern Express Highway.
4:05 PM: Incidents of stone-pelting and vandalism occurred at Bhima Koregaon in Shiroor tehsil yesterday when people were heading for the war memorial in the village.
4:01 PM: Prakash Ambedkar has called for a statewide bandh on Wednesday, while the RPI has planned dharna outside all police stations in Mumbai on Wednesday.
3:59 PM: Welcome judicial inquiry, but there should be a non-Dalit judge: Prakash Ambedkar, Dalit leader
WATCH|
#MahaCasteWar | Welcome judicial inquiry, but there should be a non-Dalit judge: Prakash Ambedkar, Dalit leader pic.twitter.com/ikwc8vSsK2
— News18 (@CNNnews18) January 2, 2018
3:52 PM: WATCH|
Maharashtra: Railway lines affected in Mumbai | Entire Eastern Express highway has been blocked | Western Express highway seems normal
Report by @vaishnavi_1001 pic.twitter.com/l6alipFQ6c— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) January 2, 2018
3:50 PM: Dalit organisations call for bandh in Maharashtra tomorrow.
3:45 PM: Eastern Express Highway has been blocked; function of local trains disrupted due to clashes.
3:39 PM: Section 144 has been imposed in various parts of Mumbai.
#BREAKING | Section 144 imposed in various parts of Mumbai, post caste clashes in Pune | @vinivdvc with more details pic.twitter.com/eZthx3nAKp
— News18 (@CNNnews18) January 2, 2018
3:36 PM:
3:26 PM: Sunil Udasi, CPRO of Central Railways, confirms that agitation has spread to Chembur and Govandi stations, as per Mumbai Mirror report.
3:23 PM: Shiv Sena Shakha office door in Chembur has been vandalised by protesters.
3.20 PM: Traffic at Chheda Nagar, Chembur due to the ongoing protest reports Mumbai Mirror.
3.15 PM: Maharashtra CM Devendra Phadnavis ordered a CID enquiry for the death of a youth & an assistance of Rs 10 lakh to his kin.
3.00 PM: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis orders judicial enquiry for Bhima Koregaon incident. Strict action will be taken against the all those who are spreading rumours & trying to invoke violence.
Maharashtra CM @Dev_Fadnavis orders judicial enquiry for #BhimaKoregaon incident.
Also orders a CID enquiry for the death of a youth & an assistance of ₹10 lakh to his kin.
Strict action will be taken against the all those who are spreading rumours & trying to invoke violence. pic.twitter.com/TvMVVgSWRV— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) January 2, 2018
2:55 PM: Mumbai Police tweeted: “Don’t believe in rumours. Traffic on Eastern expressway was affected due to protests. It’s moving now. Traffic at Chembur Naka is still affected. There is nothing to panic. Verify facts with police officers and men before posting anything on social media.”
2:48 PM: Road towards Chembur has been blocked by Mumbai Police reports Mumbai Mirror.
2:42 PM: Agitation extends to Govandi and Chembur railway stations. Train services will be delayed, says Sunil Udasi, CPRO Central Railway.
2:35 PM: Section 144 imposed in Aurangabad, reports Republic TV.
2:27 PM:
2:24 PM: People have been going there for last 200 yrs, nothing like this ever happened. It was expected that more people will be there on 200th anniversary. More attention was needed in the matter: Sharad Pawar
2:20 PM: Spoke to Maharashtra CM, demand that this matter should be inquired; action must be taken against the culprits so that such incidents don’t recur: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on violence between two groups during an event to mark 200 years of Bhima Koregaon battle near Pune.
2:17 PM: Cars were burnt in the agitation yesterday.
2:13 PM: Shops damaged at Amar Mahal, reports India Today.
2:11 PM: Dalit groups protest near Chembur naka against violence in Pune in which one person died yesterday.
2:08 PM: Stone pelting in Amar Mahal Ghatkopar, Mumbai, reports India Today.
2:06 PM: Pune: Buses vandalised in Hadapsar, Fursungi; all bus services to Ahemadnagar, Aurangabad suspended.
2:03 PM: Dalit groups are trying to march towards Ambedkar Garden in Chembur, but have been stopped near Chembur Naka. The police is not permitting protesters to move ahead. Meanwhile, anti-RSS slogans can be reportedly heard at the rally.
1:59 PM: Request will be made to SC for judicial inquiry in Koregaon violence matter and CID inquiry will also be conducted on the death of the youth. 10 lakh compensation for victim’s kin: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis
1:50 PM: Protestors have stopped traffic on Sion-Panvel highway, near Chembur. They are trying to march towards Ambedkar Garden.
