Clashes Occur in a Pune Village following Controversial Shivaji Image
In the tranquil Pune district, a wave of unrest swept through the Yavat village on Friday morning. The disturbance was sparked by an offensive social media post about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the revered Maratha emperor, by a youth residing temporarily in the village.
The post, which went viral, ignited a powder keg of tension that had been simmering in the village since a previous incident of alleged desecration of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the Neelkantheshwar Temple on July 26.
As the tension escalated, both communities clashed, leading to heavy stone pelting, torching of two-wheelers, attacks on shops, homes, and religious places. The violence was swift and intense, targeting vehicles, a bakery, shops, and even a religious structure.
In response, a curfew was imposed, with all shops closed and tight police security deployed, including the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), to maintain order and prevent further violence. The youth responsible for the post was detained, and around 18-20 individuals directly involved in the violence were arrested or detained. Over 100 suspects have been identified and are being searched for.
Five FIRs have been registered against more than 500 people involved in the clashes and property damage. Authorities enforced Section 144 to ban gatherings for 48 hours and considered internet service suspension to curb misinformation. The Pune Rural Police used tear gas and lathicharge to control rioters.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that strict action would be taken against anyone responsible for inciting unrest. He also reported that no injuries or casualties were reported, and the situation was stated to be under control by police and government officials. The CM further added that people from both communities are together and efforts are on to defuse tensions.
The Deputy CM, Ajit Pawar, appealed for people to cooperate and maintain peace. The situation in Yavat is now under control, and peace prevails, according to officials. A bandh was called across Yavat and Daund due to the desecration incident, but the village is gradually returning to normalcy.
Investigations are ongoing regarding the motives and possible group affiliations of the youth who posted the objectionable content. The authorities are working diligently to ensure justice is served and peace is restored in the village.
The escalating tension in Yavat village, rooted in a contentious social media post and a prior incident of desecration, has inspired news articles under the categories of 'politics', 'general-news', and 'crime-and-justice'. The violent clashes, targeting vehicles, shops, homes, and religious places, have led to several arrests and FIRs registered against those involved. The authorities are vigilantly investigating the youth's motives and any potential group affiliations, aiming to maintain peace and deliver justice in the village.
