Violence erupts in Parbhani after desecration of Ambedkar statue and Constitution, protestors demand arrests

Violence broke out in Parbhani, Maharashtra, on Wednesday following the desecration of a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. The incident occurred on Tuesday, when an unidentified individual damaged a replica of the Indian Constitution held by the statue of Ambedkar outside Parbhani railway station. The act of vandalism led to widespread protests, with many people expressing anger over the perceived insult to Ambedkar and the Constitution.

In response, several Dalit organizations in the area called for a bandh, which received widespread support. Most shops, educational institutions, and commercial establishments in the town remained closed as protesters took to the streets. The demonstrations started peacefully, with protestors chanting slogans in honor of Ambedkar, but soon escalated into violence. Protesters set vehicles on fire, damaged public and private property, and blocked roads, further intensifying the situation. Large groups of protestors, some wielding sticks, rods, and stones, clashed with the police in various parts of the town.

As the protests grew, local authorities deployed additional police reinforcements to control the situation. Police used tear gas and mild caning in attempts to disperse the crowds. However, violence continued as protestors set fire to rubber tyres, heaps of garbage, and other materials in different parts of Parbhani. The unrest spread to multiple areas, and the protestors were seen moving around in groups, shouting slogans condemning the desecration of Ambedkar's statue and the Constitution. The police also detained one individual allegedly involved in the defacement, while further investigations were underway.

Political leaders from various parties condemned the incident. Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) President Prakash Ambedkar expressed outrage over the vandalism, calling it a "shameful" act against Dalit identity and a direct attack on the Constitution. He stressed that this was not the first instance of such desecrations, adding that his party’s local workers were the first to reach the site and lead the protests, demanding swift action from the authorities. Ambedkar also warned that there would be consequences if all those responsible for the act were not arrested within 24 hours.

Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar raised concerns about the delayed police response, questioning why immediate action was not taken once the defacement was discovered. Similarly, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Kishore Tiwari criticized the incident, suggesting it was part of a larger trend of disrespect toward national symbols and figures like Ambedkar. Both leaders called on the government to take firm action to prevent similar occurrences in the future and ensure justice for the affected community.

Amid the continuing unrest, local police forces were increased in strategic locations across Parbhani, and reinforcements from neighboring districts were brought in to maintain order. Authorities issued warnings urging the public to stay calm and avoid spreading rumors, while also assuring that further arrests would be made as part of the investigation. The situation in Parbhani remained tense, with the administration focused on preventing any further escalation of violence.