<p>Mumbai: Large-scale violence, arson, stone-pelting, vandalisation of public and private property was reported from the Parbhani town of Marathwada region of Maharashtra during a bandh called on Wednesday to protest the vandalism of replica of Constitution placed near a statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. </p><p>Additional forces have been rushed from the neighbouring districts to ensure that law and order prevails.</p>.A violation of the Constitution.<p>Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is personally monitoring the situation, his close aide and BJP MLA Girish Mahajan said. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Fadnavis have always respected the Constitution. If any anarchic elements try to tamper with the Constitution, strict action will be taken against them,” BJP MLC Pravin Darekar said. </p><p>The incident of vandalisation took place near the Parbhani railway station when a person vandalised the replica of the Constitution placed inside a glass box below the statue of Dr Ambedkar. </p><p>Soon after this, some people gathered near the statue and raised slogans to protest against the desecration of the statue.</p><p>Some people also gave a bandh call for Wednesday for Parbhani city and Basmat area.</p><p>The bandh, however, resulted in violence.</p><p>The Parbhani district administration and police have imposed prohibitory orders in parts of the city. </p><p>“We have registered a case. We are investigating the matter. No one should take law and order in their hands. Don’t believe in rumours. Don’t hurt the sentiments of any community,” said Parbhani Collector Raghunath Gawade.</p><p>Acting Superintendent of Police Yeshwant Kale said as the mob became violent, police fired tear gas shells and dispersed them.</p><p>Deputy Inspector General of Police Shahji Umap, who heads the Nanded Range, has rushed to Parbhani.</p><p>One suspect, Sopan Dattarao Pawar (45), who is behind the desecration, has been detained by police. </p><p>“It is not the first time such a vandalism of Babasaheb’s statue or symbol of Dalit identity has happened. VBA Parbhani district workers were the first to be on the scene and their protests led to the police filing an FIR and arresting one of the miscreants. I request everyone to maintain law and order. If all the miscreants are not arrested within the next 24 hours, consequences will follow,” said Ambedkar, the grandson of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. </p><p>Agitated mobs also pelted stones near the Collectorate office, on some vehicles, burnt rubber tyres or heaps of rubbish on the roads, and moved around welding sticks, rods or stones even as additional security reinforcements were rushed to assist the local police.</p><p>Condemning the incident, Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar said that the defacement of the statue has sparked tensions in Parbhani and wondered why the police and administration failed to curb it immediately when it came to their notice. “This is India's supreme and sacred entity, which serves as our protection in the form of the Constitution. We expect the government to take immediate action when such incidents occur. If they had acted promptly, this situation would not have arisen,” he said. </p><p>Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP said since the time MahaYuti government had come to power, such incidents have become common here. "People should maintain peace, everyone knows that we, the people of Maharashtra have always been with Babasaheb and his ideas,” he said.</p><p>NCP (SP) Rajya Sabha member Fauzia Khan said that what has happened is not proper. </p><p>"I appeal to the people to maintain peace and not fall victim to such issues. Earlier, the Hindu Mahasabha held a protest against the atrocities going on against Hindus in Bangladesh - someone from the protest threw a stone at the glass in which the Constitution is kept in front of the statue of Dr Ambedkar….it led to a protest that went violent,” she said. </p>
<p>Mumbai: Large-scale violence, arson, stone-pelting, vandalisation of public and private property was reported from the Parbhani town of Marathwada region of Maharashtra during a bandh called on Wednesday to protest the vandalism of replica of Constitution placed near a statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. </p><p>Additional forces have been rushed from the neighbouring districts to ensure that law and order prevails.</p>.A violation of the Constitution.<p>Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is personally monitoring the situation, his close aide and BJP MLA Girish Mahajan said. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Fadnavis have always respected the Constitution. If any anarchic elements try to tamper with the Constitution, strict action will be taken against them,” BJP MLC Pravin Darekar said. </p><p>The incident of vandalisation took place near the Parbhani railway station when a person vandalised the replica of the Constitution placed inside a glass box below the statue of Dr Ambedkar. </p><p>Soon after this, some people gathered near the statue and raised slogans to protest against the desecration of the statue.</p><p>Some people also gave a bandh call for Wednesday for Parbhani city and Basmat area.</p><p>The bandh, however, resulted in violence.</p><p>The Parbhani district administration and police have imposed prohibitory orders in parts of the city. </p><p>“We have registered a case. We are investigating the matter. No one should take law and order in their hands. Don’t believe in rumours. Don’t hurt the sentiments of any community,” said Parbhani Collector Raghunath Gawade.</p><p>Acting Superintendent of Police Yeshwant Kale said as the mob became violent, police fired tear gas shells and dispersed them.</p><p>Deputy Inspector General of Police Shahji Umap, who heads the Nanded Range, has rushed to Parbhani.</p><p>One suspect, Sopan Dattarao Pawar (45), who is behind the desecration, has been detained by police. </p><p>“It is not the first time such a vandalism of Babasaheb’s statue or symbol of Dalit identity has happened. VBA Parbhani district workers were the first to be on the scene and their protests led to the police filing an FIR and arresting one of the miscreants. I request everyone to maintain law and order. If all the miscreants are not arrested within the next 24 hours, consequences will follow,” said Ambedkar, the grandson of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. </p><p>Agitated mobs also pelted stones near the Collectorate office, on some vehicles, burnt rubber tyres or heaps of rubbish on the roads, and moved around welding sticks, rods or stones even as additional security reinforcements were rushed to assist the local police.</p><p>Condemning the incident, Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar said that the defacement of the statue has sparked tensions in Parbhani and wondered why the police and administration failed to curb it immediately when it came to their notice. “This is India's supreme and sacred entity, which serves as our protection in the form of the Constitution. We expect the government to take immediate action when such incidents occur. If they had acted promptly, this situation would not have arisen,” he said. </p><p>Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP said since the time MahaYuti government had come to power, such incidents have become common here. "People should maintain peace, everyone knows that we, the people of Maharashtra have always been with Babasaheb and his ideas,” he said.</p><p>NCP (SP) Rajya Sabha member Fauzia Khan said that what has happened is not proper. </p><p>"I appeal to the people to maintain peace and not fall victim to such issues. Earlier, the Hindu Mahasabha held a protest against the atrocities going on against Hindus in Bangladesh - someone from the protest threw a stone at the glass in which the Constitution is kept in front of the statue of Dr Ambedkar….it led to a protest that went violent,” she said. </p>