INDIA
Sambhaji Bhide and Milind Ekbote allegedly desecrated the samadhi of a mahar near Bhima Koregaon
In the midst of rioting in Pune and then in Mumbai, a report in Mumbai Mirror highlights how two individuals - Sambhaji Bhide and Milind Ekbote – desecrated the Samadhi of a Mahar named Govind Gaikwad on December 29. Gaikwad is credited with performing Chhattrapati Shivaji’s son Sambhajiraje Bhosale’s funeral when nobody else would touch the body, fearing Mughal wrath.
Both Bhide and Ekbote believe that Gaikwad’s story is British propaganda, and are of the belief that Sambhajiraje Bhosale’s funeral was conducted by Marathas.
The Samadhi is located in a village called Wadhu located near Bhima Koregaon, where tensions sparked after communities clashed on January 1.
The event to mark 200th anniversary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle, in which forces of the East India Company defeated Peshwa's army, was marred by incidents of violence, in which one person was killed.
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.
However, some right-wing groups in Pune had expressed opposition to celebration of the British victory.
Earlier, police registered cases against Ekbote and Bhide for allegedly inciting the violence at Bhima Koregaon. A case under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and other sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered against Ekbote and Bhide at Pimpri police station.
Along with Atrocities Act, police have registered cases against duo under section 307 for attempting murder, section 147 and 148 for rioting and also under arms act. The case was registered on Tuesday after a woman, identified as Anita Sawale, approached the police with a complaint application against Bhide and Ekbote.
Ekbote and Bhide head the Hindu Ekta Aghadi and Shivraj Pratishthan respectively. The two organisations had opposed the celebration of "British victory" in the battle.
A riot like situation prevailed following an altercation where one person was killed. Lakhs of people had gathered at Bhima Koregaon to commemorate the 200 years of battle between Peshwas and Soldiers of East India Company consisting soldiers largely from Dalit community.
Earlier in the day, Dalit activist and newly elected MLA from Gujarat Jignesh Mevani and others visited the memorial at Bhima Koregaon. He was in the city to participate in a conference organised on the occasion of 200 years of the battle at Bhima Koregaon which is considered as a symbolic victory of Dalit community.
While Mevani left the site, lakhs of people kept gathering at the venue. According to police, while the people in groups were gathering at Bhima Koregaon, a small group from another community carried out a rally in a nearby village. That group had some altercations with the other group which was visiting the memorial and soon the situation turned violent. According to police, the crowd suddenly became violent and they started pelting stones on vehicles and houses. "The crowd started beating some of the villagers. Some of the houses in the villages were also damaged," a police officer said.
Parts of Mumbai, especially eastern suburbs, saw minor shutdowns after Dalits protested violence against them in Pune by upper-caste Hindus.
Protesters began pouring in Chembur early morning and disrupted road and rail traffic demanding action against people who violated law and order in Bhima Koregaon on Monday January 1, 2018.
The incident led to traffic snarls in various parts of the city and Harbour Line services, after being stopped for a while, were restored at 4:40PM.
Political reactions poured in with Maha CM Devendra Fadnavis saying: “Around three lakh people had gathered (for the battle anniversary celebrations). Some people tried to create a serious scene. But six companies (of security personnel) were posted. Police promptly controlled the situation and averted a major problem. Strict action will be taken against those who use social media to spread rumours.”
DNA TV Show: Hindus in Bangladesh unite against fundamentalism
‘Another example of…’: MEA on Canada labelling India ‘cyber adversary’
'Bhai kyu jhooti tassali....': Mrunal Thakur criticizes fan who photoshopped her in Diwali pic
Mukesh Ambani, Anil Ambani set to earn money from Singham Again's box office collection, here’s how
Adani Power cuts Bangladesh electricity supply by half due to $846 million unpaid bills
Here's what is happening inside Ratan Tata’s Bombay House since after death of business magnate
Virat Kohli dispels retirement rumours, suggests he may continue playing cricket till....
Meet man, highest UPSC exam scorer, who broke IAS Tina Dabi's record, he is...
Swati Maliwal pours bottle of polluted water outside Delhi CM Atishi’s residence; WATCH
IPL 2025: R Ashwin tops CSK's wishlist as franchise plans to utilize RTM for THIS New Zealand star
'Abki baar...': AI imagines Donald Trump, Kamala Harris as Indian politicians, netizens react, WATCH
Amid bomb threats, ammunition cartridges found in Dubai-Delhi Air India flight
This Indian king, was first man to make history by marrying foreign woman during his trip to...
Mukesh Ambani's Jio once again TOPPED in global telecom industry, sets record in...
Bhai Dooj 2024: Date, shubh muhurat, significance, rituals and more
New ‘Satoshi Nakamoto’ emerges: Meet man who declares himself to be Bitcoin founder but fails to...
Watch: Former CSK star gets hit for 6 sixes in an over against England during Hong Kong Sixes
'Makes no sense': Ex-India star slams Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir for absurd Sarfaraz Khan decision
World's richest man Elon Musk faces lawsuit from Ex-Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal for...
Security forces kill 2 terrorists, including a foreign national in Jammu and Kashmir
WWE Crown Jewel 2024: Full match card, timing, live streaming details - All you need to know
'Absurd and baseless': India dismisses Canadian minister's allegations against Amit Shah
IND vs NZ: Virat Kohli scripts history in Mumbai Test, becomes first player in world to...
This 51-year-old woman leaves husband to marry 30-year-old Indian security guard
Mukesh Ambani's best plan for Jio users, 200GB data, 90 days of unlimited calls at just Rs...
'Thanks for...': Abhishek Bachchan's viral statement amid divorce rumours with Aishwarya Rai
Jammu and Kashmir: 2 terrorists killed in encounter with security forces in Anantnag
21-Day Mars, Moon simulation in Ladakh
Prashant Kishor's fee for advising in one election will leave you shocked, it is Rs...
Dua Padukone Singh: Here's how Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh named their baby girl
Another BIG move by Mukesh Ambani, set to provide some help for debt-ridden Ghana as Reliance Jio...
J-K: Gun battle breaks out between security forces and terrorists in Srinagar's Khanyar
Noel Tata takes BIG decision at TCS after Ratan Tata's death, plans to hire...
'Will chop them up...': Mithun Chakraborty hits out at TMC’s Humayun Kabir at Kolkata rally
Delhi Air Pollution: Delhi-NCR AQI turns ‘very poor’ as city wakes up to toxic smog post-Diwali
Gautam Adani's next BIG step: Adani Power stops Bangladesh’s power supply due to...
Indian troops start patrolling Demchok sector in eastern Ladakh following India-China disengagement
Amy Jackson announces first pregnancy with husband Ed Westwick, flaunts baby bump in adorable pics
In THIS Indian village, families live with cobras, the reason is...
Hardik Pandya flaunts his special 'World Champion' ring after being retained by MI, video goes viral
Happy Govardhan Puja 2024: Top 50 WhatsApp wishes, messages, quotes for loved ones
Despite massive Diwali opening, is Singham Again paying the price for banking on huge star cast?
Shah Rukh Khan's heartfelt gesture towards jewellery store staff wins internet, watch
DNA TV Show: Public calls out celebrities’ hypocrisy on Diwali pollution
Fashion designer Rohit Bal dies at 63: Last year, he was on ventilator for heart ailments
BCCI scraps India's intra squad warm-up game ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy, reason revealed
Legendary fashion designer Rohit Bal dies at 63 after prolonged illness
Another terrorist attack in J-K, militants shoot two non-locals in Budgam