Pune bandh: Shops closed in Pune to protest feedback in opposition to Shivaji Maharaj, others

By PTI

PUNE: Most retailers and companies remained closed in Pune metropolis on Tuesday morning in response to a name for `bandh’ (shut-down) given by opposition events to protest feedback in opposition to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and different iconic leaders of the state.

While the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Maharashtra has not supported the bandh name, its Rajya Sabha member Udayanraje Bhosale, a descendant of Shivaji Maharaj, joined a silent march organized by the protesters.

The march started at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s statue and would finish on the Lal Mahal within the metropolis. Shiv Sena chief Sushma Andhare additionally participated within the march.

The Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), Sambhaji Brigade and another outfits are supporting the bandh.

The bandh name was initially given to protest Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s controversial assertion at a public operate the place he described Shivaji Maharaj, the founding father of the Maratha empire, as an “icon of olden times”.

Last week state minister and BJP chief Chandrakant Patil’s assertion that Dr B R Ambedkar and social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule “begged” to folks for cash to start out academic establishments as an alternative of searching for authorities support was additionally perceived as insulting and drew protests.

Earlier, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi’s assertion that Shivaji Maharaj had `apologised’ to Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb had evoked indignant reactions within the state.

The Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Pune additionally remained closed on Tuesday. An area merchants’ physique has prolonged help to the bandh by preserving the retailers closed until 3 pm.

Officials of the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal mentioned that almost all of its buses had been plying on the roads. Only 10 per cent of buses had been pulled off the roads, an official mentioned.

PUNE: Most retailers and companies remained closed in Pune metropolis on Tuesday morning in response to a name for `bandh’ (shut-down) given by opposition events to protest feedback in opposition to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and different iconic leaders of the state.

While the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Maharashtra has not supported the bandh name, its Rajya Sabha member Udayanraje Bhosale, a descendant of Shivaji Maharaj, joined a silent march organized by the protesters.

The march started at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s statue and would finish on the Lal Mahal within the metropolis. Shiv Sena chief Sushma Andhare additionally participated within the march.

The Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), Sambhaji Brigade and another outfits are supporting the bandh.

The bandh name was initially given to protest Maharashtra governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s controversial assertion at a public operate the place he described Shivaji Maharaj, the founding father of the Maratha empire, as an “icon of olden times”.

Last week state minister and BJP chief Chandrakant Patil’s assertion that Dr B R Ambedkar and social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule “begged” to folks for cash to start out academic establishments as an alternative of searching for authorities support was additionally perceived as insulting and drew protests.

Earlier, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi’s assertion that Shivaji Maharaj had `apologised’ to Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb had evoked indignant reactions within the state.

The Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Pune additionally remained closed on Tuesday. An area merchants’ physique has prolonged help to the bandh by preserving the retailers closed until 3 pm.

Officials of the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal mentioned that almost all of its buses had been plying on the roads. Only 10 per cent of buses had been pulled off the roads, an official mentioned.