BJP protests in Maharashtra against NCP (SP) MLA Awhad for tearing up posters with Ambedkar's picture

Mumbai: The Bharatiya Janata Party workers held protests in parts of Maharashtra on Thursday against NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad, accusing him of insulting Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Former state minister Awhad apologised on Wednesday for tearing up posters denouncing the Manusmriti which also had a picture of Ambedkar on them.

Awhad had taken part in a protest at Mahad in Raigad district against the state government's alleged plans to introduce some verses from the Manusmriti in school curriculum.

The ancient text supported the caste system and denigrated women, he had said earlier, asking people to oppose the decision.

A controversy erupted after videos of that protest showed Awhad tearing up a stack of posters which also had Ambedkar's picture on them.

The BJP workers on Thursday staged protests at key locations in various cities of the state, including Mumbai, Nagpur and Thane, condemning Awhad's act.

A case has been registered against Awhad at Bundgarden police station in Pune on complaint of a BJP functionary under Indian Penal Code sections 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth), 295 (destroying, damaging or defiling a place of worship or sacred object).

State NCP (SP) president Jayant Patil in a post on X on Thursday said, "Jitendra Awhad has been actively working to protect the teachings of Dr Ambedkar. Nobody can doubt his integrity and dedication towards Dr Ambedkar. He has already tendered an apology for what unintentionally happened during the protest. I am confident that followers of Ambedkar will not fall prey to false campaign of the opposition." Reposting Patil's comments on his X handle, Awhad said he no longer feels alone.