Mumbai, Jul 23 (PTI) Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi chief Prakash Ambedkar has claimed that nearly 3,500 of his party’s workers were detained ahead of the July 23 statewide bandh called by the outfit.
During the bandh, being held in protest against the Centre’s education policies and the alleged police action against students and agitators in Delhi, VBA workers blocked an arterial road in Mumbai, disrupting vehicular traffic.
“Nearly 3,500 workers of the VBA have been detained. Unfortunately, no action is being taken against those responsible for the NEET paper leak. There is a heavy police deployment everywhere. This is unfortunate,” Ambedkar told reporters in the morning.
He also alleged that a section of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was attempting to provoke a confrontation.
“One section of the RSS wants conflict. The group is trying to intimidate VBA workers and supporters. The group is pro-BJP, hence it wants conflict. The conflict will benefit the state government,” he claimed.
Ambedkar had earlier appealed to people to observe a statewide bandh on July 23, alleging that the Union government’s education policies were aimed at discouraging critical thinking and education among the youth.
“The Union government does not want people to be educated, as education expands understanding and encourages critical thinking. That is why the current regime does not want the youth to have it,” he had said while announcing the bandh.
He urged people across Maharashtra to participate in the agitation and said he had not discussed the proposed bandh with any political leaders in the state.
Ambedkar also alleged that police used pellet guns to disperse supporters in Delhi, claiming such action was against United Nations advisories. He further alleged that students were beaten up and subjected to brutal force.
He claimed corruption in the Union government’s education system had come to light and said the July 23 bandh was organised to protest against these developments.
Sujat Ambedkar, son of Prakash Ambedkar and VBA leader, told reporters, “The protest is to support the demand for the resignation of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He is responsible for the NEET fiasco and he should be held accountable.” Some protesters on Thursday halted the vehicular traffic on the Panvel-Sion road, one of the major entry points to Mumbai.
A male protester said, “People should understand the reason behind the protest as the NEET exam paper leak has affected lakhs of students and their parents as well. The Union government should take action against the minister and others involved in it.” A woman, who sat on the road near Sion, told reporters that the children were made to suffer because of the Centre’s “apathy” towards them. “Our protest will continue as the Union government is yet to take corrective action,” she said.
Some shops in Byculla, Sion and neighbouring areas in Mumbai remained closed on Thursday. The bandh also evoked a response in cities such as Nagpur. PTI ND NR
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