Nagpur : Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday denied reports of police lathi charge on Varkaris in Alandi town of Pune district. He said that there was a minor scuffle between the Varkaris (devotees of Lord Vitthal) and the police. “There was no lathicharge on the Varkari community,” he told reporters in Nagpur.
However, opposition parties claimed that the police lathi-charged the Varkaris and demanded a high-level inquiry and strict action. The incident took place when devotees were trying to enter the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Samadhi temple in Alandi town. Fadnavis, who is the home minister in Maharashtra, said, Took lessons from and tried to give entry passes to different groups. It was decided to issue 75 passes to each group participating in the pilgrimage.
He said that around 400-500 youths insisted that they would join the pilgrimage and did not follow the rules laid down for entry. Fadnavis said, “They broke barricades and the police tried to stop them, during which some policemen were injured.” The deputy chief minister said the situation was under control. I have taken serious note of the incident. I appeal to the media not to blow up the matter by doing wrong reporting.
The Deputy Chief Minister further said, “I also appeal to some political parties not to do politics regarding this matter. The safety of the Varkari community and people is important. The police have been directed to find a solution to the matter.” Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) working president Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole claimed that the Varkaris were lathicharged by the police and condemned the incident. Did.
