Maharashtra: Argument breaks out between police and warkaris outside temple in Pune district
Oppn claims lathicharge
Mumbai, Jun 11: An argument broke out on Sunday between warkaris- devotees of Lord Vitthal- and police during a procession in Maharashtra's Pune district but there was no lathicharge, a senior officer said.
Opposition parties, however, claimed police lathicharged warkaris and demanded a high-level probe and strict action.
The incident occurred when devotees were scrambling to gain entry into Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Samadhi Mandir in Alandi town, 22 km from Pune city, during the ceremonial procession which is part of the annual Ashadhi Ekadashi pilgrimage to Pandharpur.
Police had made elaborate arrangements and held meetings with temple trustees to prevent any untoward incident, said Commissioner of Pimpri Chinchwad, Vinay Kumar Choubey.
While the police were sending batches of 75 devotees at a time, a few people breached the barricades and tried to enter the temple, he said.
"There was an altercation when police tried to stop them," Choubey said but refuted allegations that police lathi-charged warkaris.
The issue took a political turn with opposition NCP and Congress claiming that police lathicharged warkaris.
"I condemn the (state) government for the incident of lathi-charge on warkaris. This has never happened in so many years. The pilgrimage (to Pandharpur) has been a tradition for the past few centuries.
"The administration's mismanagement put a blot on this annual celebration. It is anguishing to see the lathi-charge on the warkari community. Those who are at fault should face action," NCP working president and Lok Sabha member Supriya Sule said.
She said warkaris have played the role of the guide (to society) through their simple and easy teachings.
Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole demanded a high-level inquiry and strict action against the guilty.
He said police officials involved in lathicharge should be suspended.
NCP national spokesperson Clyde Crasto described the incident as shameful.
"Since March, an atmosphere of tension and violence prevails in the state. Today warkaris in Alandi have been lathicharged. This is shameful. If Devendra Fadnavis (home minister) cannot run the state, he should resign,' he said.
वारकऱ्यांवर लाठीमार करणाऱ्या सरकारचा निषेध असो.!
— Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) June 11, 2023
जे आजवर कधीही घडले नाही ते यावर्षी घडले. वारीची शेकडो वर्षांची परंपरा आहे. यापुर्वी कधीही वारकऱ्यांवर बळाचा वापर केल्याची घटना घडली नव्हती. आपल्या साध्या आणि सोप्या शिकवणूकीतून वारकऱ्यांनी देशाला वेळोवेळी दिशा दाखविली आहे.… https://t.co/SdcdCJWLYL
श्री क्षेत्र आळंदी येथे वारकरी बांधवांवर पोलिसांनी लाठीमार केल्याचा प्रकार अत्यंत संतापजनक आहे. वारकरी संप्रदायाचा पाया रचणारे थोर संत ज्ञानेश्वर महाराज यांच्या आळंदीत वारकरी बांधवांचा झालेला हा अपमान अत्यंत निषेधार्ह आहे. वारकरी संप्रदाय, वारकरी बांधव यांच्याबद्दल सरकारची काही… pic.twitter.com/IDtIy1azn3
— Chhagan Bhujbal (@ChhaganCBhujbal) June 11, 2023
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NEET UG paper leak: CBI arrests Renukai Chemistry Classes (RCC) founder in Latur
New Delhi (PTI): The CBI has arrested Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar who runs the Renukai Chemistry Classes (RCC) in Maharashtra's Latur city in the NEET UG paper leak case, officials said on Monday.
A leaked question paper for the medical entrance exam was found on Motengaonkar' phone mobile during searches conducted by the agency on Sunday. He was arrested after that.
The CBI has alleged that Motegaonkar was an active member of the organised gang involved in the leakage and circulation of the NEET UG paper, the officials said.
Motegaonkar in conspiracy with other accused received the question paper and answers of NEET UG Exam, 2026 ahead of April 23, 2026 exam, they said. He allegedly circulated the paper to several persons.
