The Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) on Thursday alleged a police crackdown on its workers after Mumbai Regional President Chetan Ahire was taken into custody ahead of the party’s Maharashtra Bandh, which was called to protest the alleged police action against students during recent demonstrations in Delhi.
The party claimed Ahire was detained by the Vikhroli Police before the bandh began. VBA leaders described the move as an attempt to prevent party workers from participating in the statewide protest.
In a statement shared on social media, the VBA accused the police of suppressing democratic dissent. The party said the bandh had been organised in response to what it called an “inhuman” lathi charge on students who were participating in a peaceful protest in the national capital. According to the VBA, Ahire was forcibly taken to a police station before the protest commenced.
The situation briefly escalated when a group of VBA workers attempted to block the Eastern Express Highway in Mumbai. Police personnel intervened quickly and dispersed the demonstrators, preventing traffic disruption.
The party also alleged that several of its office-bearers across Maharashtra had either been served police notices or placed under preventive restrictions. According to VBA leaders, heavy police deployment outside the residences of some party functionaries prevented them from joining the bandh.
The protest is expected to have its strongest impact in areas where the VBA enjoys organisational support, including parts of Mumbai such as Chembur, Ghatkopar and Dharavi, along with districts including Sambhajinagar, Akola and Nagpur.
VBA chief Prakash Ambedkar is scheduled to address the media later in the day from his residence, Rajgruha, in Dadar, where he is expected to outline the party’s position on the bandh and respond to the police action against its workers.
While several Opposition parties have expressed support for the issues raised by the VBA, there has been no formal announcement of coordinated participation in the bandh, leaving questions over the scale of its impact across the state.
Q1. Why did the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi call the Maharashtra Bandh?
The VBA called the bandh to protest the alleged police action against students during demonstrations in Delhi.
Q2. Who is Chetan Ahire?
Chetan Ahire is the Mumbai Regional President of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi and was detained by police ahead of the bandh.
Q3. Where did VBA workers protest in Mumbai?
Some VBA workers attempted to block the Eastern Express Highway before being dispersed by police.
Q4. What has the VBA alleged against the police?
The party alleged that several leaders and workers were detained, served notices, or placed under preventive restrictions to stop them from participating in the bandh.
