Parbhani, Maharashtra (December 11, 2024): A bandh in Parbhani, called to protest the vandalism of a Constitution replica held by a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, turned violent on Wednesday. The situation escalated as escalated, protesters began pelting stones at shop shutters, vehicles, and residential buildings. Police had to use tear gas to break up the crowd. Protesters were also dispersed with water sprayed from a fire engine.
The protest began in the morning as demonstrators started staging sit-ins on Jintur Marg, Pathri Marg, and Basmat Road. Protesters burnt tyres and blocked traffic. Similar disruptions occurred on other roads across the city.
By noon, the mood worsened. Protesters began attacking shop shutters, signage boards, and vehicles, including two-wheelers and four-wheelers, in the Station Road area. They also brought signage onto the streets and set it on fire.
Despite the escalating violence, the police initially remained passive. The situation intensified when a vehicle was vandalised and set on fire. Police then stepped up their response, using force to control the crowd and disperse protesters.
Clashes continued near the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar statue, where a large crowd refused to leave the area. Protesters targeted police vehicles near the Superintendent of Police's office. Some officers were reportedly attacked with sticks.
WARNING! Visuals May Disturb Some Viewers
Tensions resurfaced as clashes broke out between police and protesters in the Basmat Road area. Authorities called in additional reinforcements to disperse protesters across various parts of the city. Tear gas was deployed in some locations to control the crowd.
What exactly happened in Parbhani?
The unrest began on Tuesday. An unidentified person damaged the Constitution replica placed in the hands of the Ambedkar statue outside the Parbhani railway station. News of the incident spread quickly. Around 200 people gathered near the site and raised slogans in protest. As tensions increased, protesters marched to the railway station at 6pm. There, they dragged the locomotive pilot of the Nandigram Express off the train and assaulted him. Protesters then blocked the railway tracks for more than 30 minutes. This disruption led to halted train services.
The Government Railway Police (GRP) and local authorities intervened to clear the tracks. The train was able to depart by 6.52pm after the area was secured. Protesters are demanding strict action against the person responsible for defacing the Constitution replica. Authorities are working to bring the situation under control as tensions remain high in Parbhani.