Demonstrators from Dalit communities in Mumbai on Tuesday called for “raasta roko” (roadblock) protest, a day after a person was killed in clashes during celebrations to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon near Pune in Maharashtra.
Hundreds of people stalled train operations at Mulund, Chembur, Bhandup, Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar in Vikhroli and Nehru Nagar in Kurla this morning. Schools and colleges were shut in Mumbai as a precautionary measure on Tuesday.
Mumbai's Harbour Line was also blocked by protesters.
A number of shops in Powai, Mulund, Mankhurd, Bhandup, and Govandi shut down for the day in anticipation of violence.
Over five lakh people, mainly from the Dalit community, had assembled in Pune this year for the 200th anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle, in which British forces had defeated an army of Peshwas on January 1, 1818. Every year on January 1, thousands of Dalits march to the Jaystambh (victory memorial) at Bhima Koregaon, about 30 km northeast of Pune, to mark the occasion. There have been no records of any violent incident at these commemorations in the previous years. This year, however, tension had been prevailing in areas around Bhima Koregaon because of a different dispute.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident on Tuesday. In this case, a relief of ₹10 lakh has been shown to the relatives of the deceased youth. He also said that action will be taken against rumours spread over social media.
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11:55 PM: Mumbai Dabbawallas will not be operating tomorrow due to the ongoing protest and Maharashtra bandh.
10:30 PM: SBOA declares school buses will not run tomorrow keeping the safety of children in mind. However, if the situation is in control in the morning, a decision would be taken for the afternoon shift. Since it is beyond our control the association has decided not to take a risk. It is up to individual operators to decide to close or not .after seeing the situation, confirmed Anil Garg, President School buses association, Maharashtra.
8:11 PM: No holiday declared for schools & colleges tomorrow, confirms BB Chavhan, Deputy Director of Education, Mumbai
6:55 PM: Air India and Jet Airways waive off cancellation charges from Mumbai due to ongoing violence in the city
5: 48 PM: Rahul Gandhi comments on the violence. Here's his tweet
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
5:42 PM: Long Distance & Suburban Services are running normal, as per WR
5:40 PM: Around 100 people have been detained across Mumbai due to the violence in the city, confirms Mumbai Police PRO
5:35 PM: Dalit groups have requested a bandh across the state tomorrow
5:30 PM: Keeping the violence in mind, several schools, colleges have shut to ensure safety.
5:20 PM: CM Fadnavis orders a CID enquiry for the death of a youth & an assistance of ₹10 lakh to his kin.
Maharashtra CM @Dev_Fadnavis orders judicial enquiry for #BhimaKoregaon incident.
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) January 2, 2018
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
5:15 PM: Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar has demanded a freeze of all government aid to villages in Chakan-Koregaon taluka
5:12 PM: Traffic restored on harbour line confirmed CR CRPO Sunil Udasi
5:10 PM: Here are some traffic diversions and updates you need to know: 1. Vikhroli north and south bound diverted to LBS road 2. A part of JVLR diverted towards Saki Vihar
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