Shahapur bandh receives good response

Bandh in Shahapur city against Amit Shah's remarks on Ambedkar receives strong response, leading to protests and disruptions.

The bandh called by various Dalit and progressive organisations against the statement made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on B.R. Ambedkar received a good response in Shahapur city on Tuesday.

Shops and business establishments remained closed till 4 p.m. Private and public transportation services were disrupted for hours.

The police announced an alternative route for public transportation vehicles, without entering the city limits.

Hundreds of people from various Dalit and progressive organisations staged a protest near the Basaveshwar Circle on the Bidar-Srirangapatna Highway in the city and shouted slogans against Mr. Shah.

“The statement made by Mr. Shah on Dr. Ambedkar is highly condemnable. The BJP, the RSS and the Sangh Parivar have expressed their opinion through Mr. Shah on Dalits and Babasaheb. His statement has hurt the sentiments of millions of people. The President should intervene in the issue and dismiss Mr. Shah from his Minister post and also suspend his membership of Parliament,” the protesters demanded.

The protesters took out a mock funeral procession of Mr. Shah carrying placards portraying Dr. Ambedkar.

Businessmen, lawyers, traders, street drama artists and auto drivers extended their support to the protest and bandh call.