Parbhani district in Maharashtra witnessed massive tensions on Wednesday, December 11, following the vandalism of a cement replica of the Indian Constitution situated near the BR Ambedkar statue. The accused, Sopan Pawar, a resident of Murtizapur village in Parbhani tehsil, was apprehended by the police, who described him as mentally unstable. However, the incident triggered protests from BR Ambedkar’s supporters, who accused the act of being an insult to the Constitution and linked it to caste-based animosity.
What began as peaceful demonstrations soon escalated into violence as protesters clashed, pelting stones at one another. The unrest resulted in significant damage to public and private property, including shops, vehicles, CCTV cameras, and advertising hoardings. Police officials, including SIG Nanded Shahaji Umap, confirmed that several police officers were targeted, with miscreants hurling stones at police vehicles.
“We had to resort to a lathi charge to bring the situation under control,” Umap stated. “More than 40 individuals have been detained for creating and escalating violence. Cases are being registered against them. The accused of the vandalism has also been arrested and is currently undergoing medical treatment after being beaten by the mob.”
Parbhani District Magistrate Raghunath Khandu Gawade urged the public to maintain peace and confirmed that prohibitory orders had been issued in the region. The internet was also temporarily shut down to curb the spread of unrest.
Gawade added, “Prima facie, the accused appeared drunk and mentally unstable, but medical tests are being conducted to confirm this. Whether this act was part of a larger conspiracy will be revealed during the investigation.”
The incident has drawn sharp reactions from various political and social leaders. Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) Chief Prakash Ambedkar condemned the violence and alleged a casteist motive behind the vandalism. “The desecration of the Constitution replica by casteist Maratha miscreants is absolutely shameful. This is not the first time symbols of Dalit identity have been targeted. If all miscreants are not arrested within 24 hours, consequences will follow,” he warned.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Amar Sable blamed the Opposition for allegedly orchestrating the violence. “This unrest is fueled by the Opposition’s narrative against the Constitution. Whenever Devendra Fadnavis assumes office as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, unrest between communities is promoted. This is part of a larger strategy, especially with the upcoming Bhima Koregaon event,” he alleged.
The police’s assertion that the accused is mentally unstable has drawn criticism from BR Ambedkar’s supporters, who view it as a cover-up. Vijay Wakode, vice president of the Republican Sena, stated, “It’s the job of doctors to determine mental instability, not the police. Declaring the accused mentally unstable without proper verification has angered people and contributed to the unrest. We demand a narco-analysis test to uncover any conspiracies.”
Wakode further alleged that the accused might have been sent by someone to incite violence. “Our activists caught him and handed him over to the police. We believe he is not mentally unstable. The police should thoroughly investigate this matter,” he added.
As tensions simmer in Parbhani, appeals for peace and unity continue to pour in from community leaders and authorities. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether the vandalism was an isolated act or part of a larger conspiracy.
