40 detained over Parbhani protests; uneasy silence in city
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (PTI): A tense silence prevails in Maharashtra’s Parbhani city, where 40 persons have been detained in connection with the violent protests over the vandalising of a replica of the Constitution, an official said on Thursday.
The official told reporters that damage to about 20 vehicles, during the protests, has been reported to the police so far.
Amid a bandh called by Ambedkarite activists on Wednesday, a mob indulged in arson and vandalised shops, vehicles and even the district collector's office.
“We have so far detained 40 people for these incidents. We are going through the footage from CCTV cameras and action will be taken against all those responsible. The intention of the agitators will also be probed,” said Inspector General of Police (Nanded) Shahji Umap.
The process to register cases is underway in different police stations of Parbhani city, the senior police official told the media.
“We have learnt that 16-17 motorcycles and two four-wheelers, CCTV cameras and signboards of shops were damaged. The figures will be clearer after the offences are registered,” Umap said.
A glass-encased cement replica of the Constitution outside Parbhani railway station, close to a statue of Dr B R Ambedkar, was found to have been damaged on Tuesday, sparking protests. Police arrested a man in connection with the incident, but protests resumed on Wednesday.
Prohibitory orders were imposed in the central Maharashtra city on Wednesday, banning the gathering of five or more persons in public places, and a company of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) was called in to help maintain law and order.
“There is a tense silence in Parbhani. There is no need for a curfew but we have imposed prohibitory orders in Parbhani (as a precaution),” said another police official.
Patrolling has been intensified in the city, while the SRPF deployment continues, said Umap.
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Karnataka: GBA city corporation polls likely between June 14 and 24
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka State Election Commissioner G S Sangreshi on Friday said elections to the five city corporations under the GBA will be held anytime between June 14 and June 24.
He said the exact date for the polls will be announced after a week, asserting that the power to postpone the elections, as requested by GBA authorities, lies with the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court had directed the Karnataka government and the State Election Commission to conduct Bengaluru local body elections by June 30.
On Friday, the SEC held a consultation meeting with the GBA Chief Commissioner and commissioners of the five city corporations regarding the election schedule, as per the provisions of the GBA Act.
“During the meeting, I informed GBA officials that only the election date has to be fixed, as all other measures and formalities for conducting the polls have already been completed,” Sangreshi said.
“They requested the Commission to consider factors such as rains, exams, census work, SIR, and manpower shortages while fixing the date and sought additional time,” he added.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said, “I told them this meeting was not for seeking time. Elections to the five corporations under the GBA must be held before June 30, as directed by the Supreme Court, and a compliance report must be submitted to the court. I do not have the power to postpone the elections as requested.”
The Supreme Court has already given a “final opportunity,” and both the SEC and the government must comply with its directions, the State Election Commissioner said.
He asked GBA officials to suggest suitable dates between June 14 and June 24.
“While stating that they are ready for elections, the officials highlighted operational challenges, including manpower shortages. However, I have informed them that the elections will have to be held between June 14 and June 24. After a week, I will announce the final date,” he said.
Reiterating that he does not have the power to postpone the elections, Sangreshi said the authority rests with the Supreme Court, and elections must be conducted as scheduled.
“We have consulted the GBA as per the rules. It is up to them to suggest a date within the given window. If they need more time, they must approach the court. Our responsibility is to fix the date and complete the polls before June 30,” he said.
The matter regarding manpower and other concerns raised by GBA officials is already before the Supreme Court, and the State Election Commission has also filed a petition in this regard. The case is yet to be heard.
“Since the matter has not come up for hearing, the earlier order remains binding. Therefore, preparations are underway,” he added.
The tenure of the previous elected body under the erstwhile Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) ended on September 10, 2020, and since then, a government-appointed administrator has been managing its day-to-day affairs.
Bengaluru was divided into five municipal corporations—Central, East, West, North, and South—under the Greater Bengaluru Authority in September 2025, replacing the BBMP.
Sangreshi had earlier said that elections to the five corporations would be conducted using ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines.
This follows the Congress government’s decision last September to recommend the use of ballot papers in all future panchayat and urban local body elections, citing concerns over declining public confidence in EVMs.
The state government subsequently enacted the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Act, 2026, paving the way for the use of ballot papers in local body elections.
