The year for Maharashtra , where BJP CM Devendra Fadnavis is in his debut stint, started with strong resistance from dalit organisations, beating back local right-wing outfits and bringing the state capital to a sudden halt. One Maratha dies.Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar calls for bandh to protest attack on dalits, names Sambhaji Bhide (84) and Milind Ekbote (56) as instigators. Bhide had led the stir against movie Jodha Akbar, Ekbote has been a BJP/ Shiv Sena corporator FIR lodged against the two on January 3.Massive protests by dalits turn violent. Shiv Sena and BJP have banked on Maratha netas brought in from Sharad Pawar's NCP and Congress.Shiv Sena MLA Rajesh Kshirsagar leads a mob opposing bandh.Marathwada region's main city has significant dalit and Muslim populations. But so far, the Nagpur-based body has not made clear its stand on Bhima Koregaon.

Source: Times of India January 07, 2018 08:40 UTC