Violence broke out in Maharashtra's Parbhani district over the alleged insult to the Constitution of India. Incidents of arson are being reported in many areas. The widespread violence was sparked after a person allegedly insulted the Constitution.
Protesters demanded that those who insult the Constitution should be hanged. Tear gas shells were fired to bring the situation under control. The police have arrested one person in relation to the case.
How The Parbhani Violence Started
The violence in Parbhani started after a person named Sopan Dattarao Pawar (45) allegedly tore the replica of the Constitution placed in front of Babasaheb Ambedkar's statue in the city on Tuesday. Soon after the news spread, a citywide bandh (shutdown) was called.
President of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi and grandson of BR Ambedkar, Prakash Ambedkar, said: "The vandalisation of the Constitution of India at Babasaheb's statue by casteist Maratha miscreants in Parbhani is absolutely very shameful, to say the least. It is not the first time such vandalism of Babasaheb's statue or symbol of Dalit identity has happened. VBA Parbhani District karyakartas were the first to be on the scene and their protests led to the police filing an FIR and arresting one of the miscreants."
The former MP requested all VBA workers to maintain law and order while warning, "If all the miscreants are not arrested within the next 24 hours, consequences will follow."
Prohibitory Orders Clamped In Parbhani
The administration has imposed prohibitory orders to prevent the assembly of people in one place. The police are informing the public of the prohibitory orders through speakers and advising against gatherings on streets or grounds.