Kolhapur clashes: Clashes, stone pelting over Tipu Sultan; Maharashtra CM warns action
2 min read 07 Jun 2023, 06:13 PM ISTThe reports from Maharashtra's Kolhapur suggest that the clashes broke out between two groups after some youngsters uploaded objectionable ‘WhatsApp status’
PremiumMaharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde warned on Wednesday that nobody will be allowed to take the law into their hands and it's the responsibility of government to maintain law and order in the state. The warning by the Chief Minister came after clashes broke out between members of two groups in Maharashtra's Kolhapur over Tipu Sultan.
"It is the government's responsibility to maintain law and order in the state. I also appeal to the public for peace and calm. A police investigation is underway and action will be taken against those found guilty," the chief minister said.
The government has imposed a curfew in the area and Eknath Shinde added that the government will take appropriate action against those who take law and order into their hands.
"Law and order is the responsibility of the government, Home Department. No one will be allowed to take the law and order into their hands. In such situations, action will be taken against those people. The Home Department and the Home Minister himself are keeping a close watch on the situation. I'm monitoring the situation myself through the senior officials", he said.
What led to clashes in Kolhapur?
The reports from Maharashtra's Kolhapur suggest that the clashes broke out between two groups after some youngsters uploaded objectionable WhatsApp status' on Tuesday. The posts reportedly glorified some Mughal rulers and as they went viral on social media, tension in the area increased.
“Some organisations had called for a Kolhapur bandh and the members of these organisations gathered at Shivaji Chowk today. After their demonstration ended, the crowd began to disperse but some miscreants started pelting stones, forcing police to use force against these people to disperse them," Kolhapur Superintendent of Police Mahendra Pandit as saying.
No forgiveness for praising Aurangzeb: Devendra Fadnavis
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said there is “no forgiveness in Maharashtra for those who praise Aurangzeb".
“Police are also taking action. At the same time, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the people should also maintain peace, no untoward incident happens anywhere," Fadnavis said.
“Responding to comments of these leaders, youths of a particular community showcased pictures of Aurangzeb. They also glorified Aurangzeb and Tipu Sultan. It cannot be a mere coincidence. Why suddenly these images have been displayed in various districts of Maharashtra? It does not happen easily or automatically. As it cannot be a mere coincidence, we will have to dig deeper into this matter," he added.
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