Maharashtra bandh: Security high, no dabba service, waiver by airlines
There is high security across Maharashtra in the wake of a statewide bandh called by Dalit protesters today. Some services including school buses and dabba delivery won't be operational. Airlines have waived charges for cancellations, no-shows or rescheduling to/from Mumbai or Pune. Yesterday, violent protests spread across Mumbai, Pune, Thane and elsewhere as Dalits vandalized buses, forcibly downed shutters of shops and stopped trains.
A brief background of the protests
Violent protests erupted after one person died in clashes between the Marathas and the Dalits in Bhima Koregaon on January 1. Lakhs of Dalits had gathered to commemorate the Battle of Bhima Koregaon, a British vs Maratha battle where the former's forces mostly comprised Dalits.
Protesters stopped trains, blocked roads, vandalized buses and property
Dalit protesters went on a rampage yesterday in Mumbai, Thane, Pune and elsewhere, demanding justice for the victim. Over 160 buses were damaged in Mumbai alone, NDTV reported. Roads were blocked and services on the Harbor Line stopped. About 100 people were detained. CM Devendra Fadnavis has announced Rs. 10L compensation for the victim's kin and ordered a probe into the death.
Security high for Maharashtra bandh, prohibitory orders clamped
Today's shutdown has been called by Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of Dalit icon BR Ambedkar. About 250 groups have joined in, he said. Protesters stopped trains at Borivali, Goregaon and Virar. Stone-pelting was reported in Aurangabad. Bus services along some routes have been suspended. Schools in Thane remained shut. Savitribai Phule University postponed its exams. Additional forces have been deployed and prohibitory orders clamped.
Airlines waive charges on cancellations, no-shows, rescheduling
Air India and Jet Airways have announced they won't charge passengers for cancellations, no-shows or rescheduling flights to and from Mumbai on January 2-3. IndiGo has meanwhile announced the offer for flights to and from Pune too, HT reported.
The men behind the riots
Cases have been filed against Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide, heads of right-wing Hindu Ekta Aghadi and Shivraj Pratishthan. They opposed the Bhima Koregaon commemoration and desecrated the samadhi of Govind Gaikwad, a Mahar ('untouchable'). Gaikwad is believed to have performed Chhattrapati Shivaji's son Sambhajiraje Bhosale's funeral when nobody else would do so, fearing Mughal wrath. Ekbote and Bhide believe Marathas conducted Bhosale's funeral.
