Maharashtra: Violent clashes in Pune after objectionable social media post
A tense atmosphere gripped Yavat in Daund taluka after an objectionable WhatsApp post by a local man triggered unrest on Friday, July 25. The incident prompted police to deploy heavy security and fire tear gas shells to bring the situation under control.
New Delhi: The town of Yavat in Daund taluka has been on edge for the past few days following a series of incidents that triggered communal tension between two groups. Police have deployed heavy security and even fired tear gas shells to control the situation. The unrest began on Friday, July 25, when a local man allegedly shared an objectionable post on a WhatsApp group. The post sparked anger among residents, which led to a tense atmosphere in the area.
A day later, on Saturday, July 26, the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Neelkantheshwar temple in Yavat was reportedly tampered with. The accused was immediately taken into custody by the police. This incident further fuelled the unrest in the region. Police Inspector Narayan Deshmukh confirmed that a man named Syed, who lives in Sahakar Nagar, had posted the objectionable message online. Locals allegedly vandalised his house in response. Police intervention prevented an incident of arson, but tension persisted in the area.
Leaders join protest march
Amid the unrest, a public outrage march was held in Yavat on Sunday to protest the desecration of the Shivaji Maharaj statue. BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar and NCP MLA Sangram Jagtap addressed the gathering. Several villages in Daund taluka also observed a bandh today in protest.
Daund MLA Sangram Jagtap said, "There has been tension in Yavat for the last two-three days. The police and administration were in touch with local residents to defuse the situation. Now a large crowd has gathered, and we are trying to control the situation with heavy police deployment.”
Calls for peace
Meanwhile, NCP leader and MLA Jitendra Awhad condemned the developments, alleging political motives. "This is unfortunate. Tension has arisen in areas where there was never communal tension. Efforts are being made to spoil the peace of Maharashtra for political gain. Leaders should calm the situation, but some are trying to ignite it,” he said.
Local villagers expressed hope that peace will soon return. Many believe that outsiders contributed to the unrest. "This all started because of a young man’s post. Now that leaders are alert, many have returned home. Hopefully, calm will prevail,” a resident said. Authorities continue to monitor the situation, with police maintaining strict vigil in Yavat and surrounding villages.