In November-December 2006, the desecration of a Ambedkar statue in Kanpur triggered off violent protests by Dalits in Maharashtra, India. Desecration is the ninth book in the Left Behind series. ... Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (Marathi: बाबासाहेब भीमराव रामजी आंबेडकर) (April 14, 1891 — December 6, 1956) was a Buddhist revivalist, Indian jurist, scholar and Bahujan political leader who is the chief architect of the Indian constitution. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Demonstrators march in the street while protesting the World Bank and International Monetary Fund on April 16, 2005. ... In the Indian caste system, a Dalit, often called an untouchable, is a person who does not have any varnas. ... Maharashtra   (Marathi: महाराष्ट्र , English: , IPA: ) is Indias third largest state in terms of area and second largest in terms of population after Uttar Pradesh. ...

Background

There was resentment among the Dalits in Maharashtra, due to murder of four Dalits, allegedley by a mob of Kunbis in Kherlanji village in September 2006^[1]. The Kerlanji Massacre (or Khairlanji Massacre) refers to a series of murders that took place in 2006 in a small village in India named Kherlanji (also spelled Khairlanji), located in the Bhandara district of the state of Maharashtra. ... This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims. ...

On November 28, 2006, the brewing resentment in the Dalit community in Maharashtra took form of violent protests, when a statue of Dalit icon B. R. Ambedkar was desecrated by a vandal in Kanpur. Several people remarked that the protests were fueled by the Khairlanji killings^[2][3], including the Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh^[4] and the Mumbai Police Commissioner A N Roy.^[5]. Later,the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray claimed that the protests were stoked by certain political parties in their bid to oust Maharashtra Home Minister R. R. Patil^[6]. November 28 is the 332nd day (333rd on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... In the Indian caste system, a Dalit, often called an untouchable, is a person who does not have any varnas. ... Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (Marathi: बाबासाहेब भीमराव रामजी आंबेडकर) (April 14, 1891 — December 6, 1956) was a Buddhist revivalist, Indian jurist, scholar and Bahujan political leader who is the chief architect of the Indian constitution. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The Kerlanji Massacre (or Khairlanji Massacre) refers to a series of murders that took place in 2006 in a small village in India named Kherlanji (also spelled Khairlanji), located in the Bhandara district of the state of Maharashtra. ... A Chief Minister is the elected Head of Government of a state of India, a territory of Australia or a British overseas territory that has attained self-government. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Mumbai (Marathi: मुंबई, IPA: ), formerly known as Bombay, is the capital of the state of Maharashtra, the most populous city of India, and by some measures the most populous city in the world with an estimated population of about 13 million (as of 2006). ... The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena is a regional political party operative in Maharashtra,India. ... Raj Thackeray (born June 14, 1968) is a young Indian politician of Maharashtra, India. ... Maharashtra   (Marathi: महाराष्ट्र , English: , IPA: ) is Indias third largest state in terms of area and second largest in terms of population after Uttar Pradesh. ... R R Patil (born August 16, 1958, Anjani , Tasgaon Taluka , Sangli Zilla, Maharashtra, India) is an Indian politician from the state of Maharashtra. ...

Protests

On November 30, 2006 violent protests took place in several places in Maharashtra. The Dalit protestors set three trains on fire, damaged over 100 buses and clashed with police^[5]. November 30 is the 334th day (335th on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 31 days remaining. ...

North Maharashtra

In Osmanabad, two persons were killed in police firing on a protesting mob. Two more deaths were reported, one each in Nanded and Nashik, during the violent protests^[5]. Subsequently, a curfew was imposed in Osmanabad, Nanded and Nandurbar towns of Maharashtra^[7]. Osmanabad is an administrative district in the state of Maharashtra in India. ... Nanded (Devanagari- नांदेड) is a sikh holy city, located on the banks of river Godavari in Maharashtra India. ... Nashik (Marathi: ) ( ) or Nasik (Marathi: ) is a city in Indias Maharashtra state. ... A curfew can be one of the following: An order by the government for certain persons to return home daily before a certain time. ... Osmanabad is an administrative district in the state of Maharashtra in India. ... Nanded (Devanagari- नांदेड) is a sikh holy city, located on the banks of river Godavari in Maharashtra India. ... Nandurbar is an administrative district in the state of Maharashtra in India. ...

In Aurangabad, a crowd of 1,000 Dalits gathered to protest against desecration. Some of the protestors started pelting stones at passing vehicles, injuring six persons, including sub-inspector and a constable. The police resorted to firing in air to disperse the crowd^[5]. In Akola, a truck was set on fire on the national highway, and there was heavy stone-pelting on State Transport buses^[4]. Aurangabad (औरंगाबाद, from Persian اورنگ‌آباد meaning Built by the Throne, named after Mughal Emporer Aurangazeb) is a city and district in Maharashtra, India. ... Akola   (Hindi/Marathi: अकोला) (pronounced ) is an important Historical, Cultural, Political, Religious, Industrial and Agricultural city in the state of Maharashtra located in the Vidarbha region in central India. ...

Heavy deployment of police forces took place in affected areas. Around 1,500 people were put under preventive arrest and three persons were detained in connection with the lynching of a youth in Nashik^[7]. In Akola, the police arrested 14 persons for burning an effigy of chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh^[4].

Pune District

In Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad areas, 60 vehicles were damaged and set ablaze by agitators and 13 policemen were injured^[5]. A curfew was imposed in Pimpri on November 30. On December 1, a municipal corporation bus was stoned at Bopodi chowk in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Pune (Marathi:पुणे), is a city located in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. ... Pimpri-Chinchwad (Marathi: पिंपरी-चिंचवड) is a city in the Pune district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. ... Pimpri is a town near Pune in Maharashtra, India. ...

Mumbai and its neighborhoods

On November 30, a mob of over 6000 protestors stopped the Deccan Queen passenger train near Ulhasnagar, asked the passengers to alight and set afire its five bogies^[5]. One compartment of a local train was set ablaze at Matunga in Mumbai. There were no injuries^[7]. Some compartments of a commuter train were also torched at Ulhasnagar, and the police fired in the air to control the violent crowds. The mob in Ulhasnagar also vandalised the railway station. Suburban train services were affected in parts of Mumbai as protestors squatted on the tracks. Shops and establishments in the city were also closed in view of the protests^[5]. Deccan Queen, also called dakkhanchii raaNii in local language (marathi), connect Mumbai and Pune. ... Ulhasnagar is a city located on the west coast of India, approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) northeast of the City of Mumbai (Bombay), in the Thane district in the state of Maharashtra. ... Matunga is the name of a railway station on the Mumbai Suburban Railway network. ... Mumbai (Marathi: मुंबई, IPA: ), formerly known as Bombay, is the capital of the state of Maharashtra, the most populous city of India, and by some measures the most populous city in the world with an estimated population of about 13 million (as of 2006). ...

Incidents of protestors setting up road blocks and pelting stones were reported in Mumbai suburbs like Kanjurmarg, Mulund, Bhandup, Trombay, Kurla, Kalina, Chembur, Kurar in Malad, Goregaon, Pali Hill in Bandra, and Worli. The police reported that gangster Chhota Rajan's brother Deepak Nikhalje was responsible for violence in Chembur^[7]. Police used lathicharge and fired in the air at Kherwadi junction on the Western Express highway in Vakola, after an angry mob blocked traffic and indulged in stone pelting. In Thane, corporation-run buses were off the road due to stone pelting. A Municipal Transport Corporation bus going from Kalyan to Dombivili was set on fire at Manpada by a violent mob. Protestors also forced owners of shops and establishments to down shutters^[5]. Kanjurmarg is the name of a railway station on the Mumbai suburban railway on the Central Railway line. ... Mulund East-West Bridge Mulund is a north-eastern suburb of Mumbai, India. ... Bhandup is a suburb of Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, in the state of Maharashtra, India and is also the name of a railway station on the Mumbai suburban railway on the Central Railway line. ... Trombay is a NorthEastern suburb in Mumbai, India, with Mankhurd as the closest railway station on the Harbour Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway. ... Kurla is a major suburb of Mumbai. ... Santa Cruz or Santacruz (Marathi:सान्ताक्रुझ) is a suburb of Mumbai. ... Chembur is a suburb of Mumbai, India, as well as a railway station on the Harbour Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway. ... Malad is the name of a railway station on the Mumbai suburban railway on the Western Railway railway line. ... Goregaon, pronounced as Goregam or Goregav (Marathi:गोरेगाव) is the name of a Mumbais prime suburban locality also has a major railway station on the Mumbai suburban railway on the Western Railway (India) railway line. ... Mumbai as seen from Bandra Reclamation A stall on Linking Road Bandra (Marathi : वांद्रे ) is a suburb of Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay), popularly nick-named Queen Of The Suburbs. It is home to a railway station on the Mumbai Suburban Railway, Western line. ... Worli is a neighbourhood of Mumbai, the largest city in India. ... Rajendra Sadashiv Nikhalje, better known as Chhota Rajan, is an Indian don. ... Lathi is an ancient armed martial art of India. ... Santa Cruz or Santacruz (Marathi:सान्ताक्रुझ) is a suburb of Mumbai. ... Ochlocracy (Greek: οχλοκρατια; Latin: ochlocratia) is government by mob or a mass of people, or the intimidation of constitutional authorities. ...

Over 100 buses and 35 private vehicles were damaged in stone pelting. The Mumbai Police Commissioner A N Roy put the loss at around Rs 30 lakh. BEST said 91 of its buses were damaged and four drivers and a woman passenger injured in stone pelting. At least 13 policemen, including Additional Commissioner of Police K L Bisnoi, were injured in the protests^[5]. The BEST (Marathi: बृहन्मुंबई विद्युतपुरवठा आणि परिवहन उपक्रम / बेस्ट) or the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport is Mumbais public transport service and electricity provider. ...

176 people were arrested in Mumbai^[5]. The Thane police arrested 19 persons and detained another 29^[4].

Outside Maharashtra

The protests also spread to some parts of Maharashtra's neighboring states, Gujarat and Karnataka. In Surat (Gujarat), a mob pelted stones and damaged vehicles. Eight persons were arrested in connection with the violence. In Hubli (Karnataka), activists belonging to various Dalit organizations stoned a dozen city buses^[5]. This article is for the Indian state. ... Karnātakā   (Kannada: ಕನಾ೯ಟಕ) (IPA: ) is one of the four southern states of India. ... For other uses, see Surat (disambiguation). ... This article is for the Indian state. ... Hubli-Dharwad is a twin city in the state of Karnataka in India. ... Karnātakā   (Kannada: ಕನಾ೯ಟಕ) (IPA: ) is one of the four southern states of India. ...

Arrest of the vandal

Many Dalit leaders, including the UP RPI vice-president S.R. Darapuri remarked that the desecration of Ambedkar statue displayed the deep-seated animosity towards Dalits in India^[8]. Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy claimed that the desecration was the work of "anti-national" elements. Uttar Pradesh (Hindi: , Urdu: ‎, translation: Northern Province, IPA: ,  ), also popularly known by its abbreviation U.P., is the most populous and fifth largest state in the Republic of India. ... Executive President Vice-President Prime Minister Deputy Prime Minister The Union Ministries Legislative Parliament Rajya Sabha Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Lok Sabha Speaker of the House Judicial Supreme Court Chief Justice of the Supreme Court High Courts District Courts Constitution Fundamental Rights and Directive principles Regions States and territories... Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (Marathi: बाबासाहेब भीमराव रामजी आंबेडकर) (April 14, 1891 — December 6, 1956) was a Buddhist revivalist, Indian jurist, scholar and Bahujan political leader who is the chief architect of the Indian constitution. ... The Janata Party (Peoples Party in Hindi) was an Indian political party that contested the Indian Emergency (1975-77) and became the first political party to defeat the Indian National Congress in the 1977 elections, forming the national government from 1977 to 1980. ... Dr. Subramanian Swamy (b. ...

However, later, the Kanpur Police arrested a Dalit youth Arun Kumar Balmiki for desecrating the Ambedkar statue. According to the police, the youth had "admitted to having damaged the statue in a drunken state along with two friends"^[9]. Earlier in a similar case, a Dalit youth was held for desecrating an Ambedkar statue in Gulbarga, Karnataka^[8]. Gulbarga is a town in the Indian state of Karnataka. ... Karnātakā   (Kannada: ಕನಾ೯ಟಕ) (IPA: ) is one of the four southern states of India. ...

However, some Dalits in Kanpur alleged that the youth was falsely implicated to protect the real culprits^[9]. Some Dalits protesting against Balmiki's arrest damaged vehicles and blocked traffic in Kanpur^[8].

Political fallout

The Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh requested Dalit leaders to maintain calm. The Police Commissioner of Mumbai, A N Roy, requested the state government to declare a holiday on December 6 (Dr. Ambedkar's Mahaparinirvan (Death) Day)^[7], but the Government decided against doing so^[4]. Deshmukh also called an all-party meeting. The Congress president Sonia Gandhi also pitched in to settle the issue^[7]. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... December 6 is the 340th day (341st on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Sonia Gandhi (Hindi: , IPA: ),leader of the Congress Party of India, born Sonia Antonia Maino on December 9, 1946, is an Italian-born Indian politician, the President of the Indian National Congress and the widow of former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi. ...

Raj Thackeray accused the "anti-R. R. Patil forces" of fueling the riots. He also drew attention to another incident in Khairlanji, in which a Dalit man allegedly raped a girl and killed her. Thackeray demanded action on those responsible for the rape and the subsequent death of the girl, and also remarked that nobody helped the girl's family^[4]. Raj Thackeray (born June 14, 1968) is a young Indian politician of Maharashtra, India. ... R R Patil (born August 16, 1958, Anjani , Tasgaon Taluka , Sangli Zilla, Maharashtra, India) is an Indian politician from the state of Maharashtra. ...

In Kanpur, a Congress delegation, led by former bureaucrat P.L. Punia sat on a dharna (hunger strike), when the District Magistrate and the Senior Superintendent of Police prevented them from visiting the site of desecration. RPI president Ramdas Athawale also reached Kanpur to visit the site of desecration^[8]. However, he alleged "house arrest", after police put him under tight security in a local circuit house in Kanpur^[10]. A hunger strike is a method of non-violent resistance in which participants fast as an act of political protest, or to provoke feelings of guilt or to achieve a goal such as a policy change. ... Executive President Vice-President Prime Minister Deputy Prime Minister The Union Ministries Legislative Parliament Rajya Sabha Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Lok Sabha Speaker of the House Judicial Supreme Court Chief Justice of the Supreme Court High Courts District Courts Constitution Fundamental Rights and Directive principles Regions States and territories... Athawale Ramdas Bandu (born 25 December 1959) is a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India. ... In justice and law, house arrest is the situation where a person is confined (by the authorities) to his or her residence. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

At the 22nd National Conference of Dalit Writers in New Delhi, the former Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, Mata Prasad declared that the agitation will continue through Dalit literature^[10]. Arunachal Pradesh   (Hindi: Aruṇācal PradeÅ›; Chinese: 藏南 Zangnan or South Tibet) is a state of India, but also claimed by China. ...

References

1. ^ Dalit blood on village square. Frontline. Retrieved on 2006-12-02.
2. ^ Khairlanji to Kanpur. The Indian Express (2006-12-02). Retrieved on 2006-12-02.
3. ^ Irrational violence: A result of dalit marginalisation. The Economic Times (2006-12-02). Retrieved on 2006-12-02.
4. ^ ^{a b c d e f} "Situation in Mumbai, state back to normal", The Times of India, 2006-12-02. Retrieved on 2006-12-02.
5. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k} "Maharashtra: Dalit anger leaves 4 dead, 60 injured", Rediff.com, 2006-11-30. Retrieved on 2006-12-02.
6. ^ "Anti-RR Patil forces behind riots: Raj", economictimes.indiatimes.com, 2006-12-02. Retrieved on 2006-12-03.
7. ^ ^{a b c d e f} "3 killed in Maharashtra Dalit violence", IBN Live, 2006-11-30. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
8. ^ ^{a b c d} "Youth arrested for statue desecration", The Hindu, 2006-12-02. Retrieved on 2006-12-02.
9. ^ ^{a b} "Dalits force police to let off suspect in Kanpur", Business Standard, 2006-12-01. Retrieved on 2006-12-02.
10. ^ ^{a b} "Athwale alleges "house arrest" in Kanpur", Zee News, 2006-12-02. Retrieved on 2006-12-02.

For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... December 2 is the 336th day (337th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Indian Express is a Indian newspaper owned by Ramnath Goenka. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... December 2 is the 336th day (337th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Economic Times, launched in 1961, is Indias largest financial daily and the worlds second largest financial daily after The Wall Street Journal. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... December 2 is the 336th day (337th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Times of India, often abbreviated as TOI, is one of Indias leading daily newspapers, owned and managed by Bennett, Coleman & Co. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... December 2 is the 336th day (337th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... December 2 is the 336th day (337th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... December 3 is the 337th (in leap years the 338th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... December 1 is the 335th (in leap years the 336th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... December 2 is the 336th day (337th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... December 2 is the 336th day (337th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... December 2 is the 336th day (337th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External Links

• Maharashtra Burning on the Anti-Caste Information Page