The recent violence in Parbhani city and the vandalism of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s statue have triggered sharp political reactions, particularly from Congress leaders, who have criticized the Maharashtra state government for mishandling the situation.
Congress Leaders Condemn the Incident
- Varsha Gaikwad (Congress MP):
- Condemned the vandalism of Dr. Ambedkar’s statue and demanded immediate action against those responsible:“Action should be taken against those who vandalized the statue of Baba Saheb Ambedkar in Parbhani.”
- Criticized the ruling Mahayuti coalition government, holding them responsible for the unrest:“The Mahayuti government should take responsibility for the current situation in Parbhani. They are showing that they are anti-constitution.”
- Slammed the imposition of a curfew without effectively restoring peace, adding:“They have failed to restore peace in Parbhani city. They should not register false cases.”
- Praniti Shinde (Congress MP):
- Echoed Gaikwad’s sentiments, condemning the violence and calling out the BJP-led government’s alleged hypocrisy:“We condemn the incident that happened in Parbhani city. The two faces of BJP have been exposed. On one hand, they are celebrating 75 years of independence, while on the other hand, they are insulting the Constitution of India.”
Law Enforcement Update
Special Inspector General of Police, Shahaji Umap, provided the following updates:
- 50 people arrested and 8 cases registered in connection with the violence that broke out on December 11.
- All arrests were made at the incident site during efforts to bring the situation under control.
- Injuries: A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and nine police personnel sustained minor injuries following stone-pelting.
- Clarification on Arrests: Refuting rumors of arrests during combing operations, Umap stated:“All the arrests so far have been made at the spot of the incident.”
The Context of the Violence
- The incident occurred late on December 11 when unrest broke out in Parbhani, culminating in the vandalism of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s statue—a revered figure representing social justice and constitutional values in India.
- The escalation of violence prompted the imposition of a curfew in the city as authorities sought to restore order.
Political Fallout and Criticism
- The Congress leaders’ comments highlight growing political tensions over the incident.
- Varsha Gaikwad and Praniti Shinde accused the Mahayuti government of failing to:
- Protect constitutional values.
- Restore peace effectively.
- Prevent vandalism of a symbol of justice like Dr. Ambedkar’s statue.
The incident has exposed deep divides in Maharashtra’s political landscape, with opposition parties using the situation to question the BJP’s governance and law-and-order measures.
Conclusion
The Parbhani violence and the attack on Dr. Ambedkar’s statue have reignited concerns about maintaining communal harmony and upholding constitutional values. While law enforcement continues its efforts to control the situation and investigate the culprits, political leaders have demanded greater accountability from the state government. The developments will likely intensify the political discourse around governance and social justice in Maharashtra.