A cultural event held at the Bharatratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Government Hostel in Vishrantwadi has sparked controversy after a student dance performance reportedly included a song linked to Maoist references. The incident has drawn the attention of police and intelligence agencies, who have initiated a preliminary inquiry into the matter. The controversy came to light after a video from the programme went viral on social media, showing students performing to the song “O Re Bandook Wale.” Authorities noted that the track is believed to be associated with the glorification of Maoist commander Madvi Hidma, raising serious concerns among officials.
Following the emergence of the video, the Social Welfare Department also launched a parallel investigation into the incident. Assistant Commissioner Vishal Londhe confirmed that a joint probe would be conducted in coordination with the police to determine the facts. He stated that initial findings suggest the song was played without awareness of its background or implications, and there was no intentional wrongdoing. Officials emphasised that the programme was organised as a cultural event, where students participated in traditional attire representing various regions, and the selection of the song was made casually without deeper scrutiny.
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Authorities further revealed that the song had been selected from YouTube based solely on its musical appeal, without understanding its lyrics or context. The performance itself was reportedly finalised just ten minutes before the event began, leaving little time for proper verification of the content. Due to the last-minute nature of the decision, students did not thoroughly review the song, which contributed to the oversight. Officials highlighted that this lack of due diligence led to the unintended inclusion of controversial material in what was otherwise meant to be a cultural showcase.
The hostel premises include seven different hostels with a combined capacity of nearly 1,000 students. On the day of the programme, around 600 to 700 students were present, as examinations had recently concluded. According to officials, approximately 85 percent of the students belong to the Scheduled Caste category, while the remaining students come from other communities. It also came to light that the event had been organised by students independently, without obtaining prior approval from the authorities, which further complicated the situation.
In response to the incident, authorities convened a meeting with the students to explain the seriousness of the issue and the potential consequences of such oversights. Counselling sessions have also been conducted to ensure that students are more cautious in the future and to prevent similar occurrences. Assistant Commissioner Londhe reiterated that efforts are being made to raise awareness among students regarding sensitive content and its implications. Meanwhile, the investigation is ongoing, and officials are working to establish all relevant details surrounding the incident.