Photo : PTI
Shops in Pune will remain shut on Tuesday as the traders’ body decided to extend its support to the ‘bandh’ call. The protesting groups will be carrying out a rally in connection with the bandh.
A fresh controversy erupted recently after governor Koshyari termed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj an “icon of olden times”.
Several Maratha groups like Sambhaji Brigade and political parties including Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and some other outfits called for a protest on December 13, demanding an apology and action against the governor. In total, more than 30 outfits have declared their support for the protest.
The Federation of Trade Association of Pune (FATP) has declared their support to the protest. According to a statement by the president of FATP, Fatehchand Ranka, the opposition parties appealed to the traders’ body to support the bandh.
“Following the appeal made by these parties, an internal meeting of all the members of the federation was organised and it was decided to support the bandh by keeping the shops closed till 3 pm on Tuesday,” Ranka said.
However, petrol pumps and CNG pumps will remain operational in the city on Tuesday.
Security arrangement has been beefed up across the city and Pune police deployed around 100 senior officers, over 1000 police personnel, and many constables in plain clothes across the city.
Addressing a public function last month, the governor said, “if someone asks you who is your idol, you don’t have to go out looking for it, you’ll find them right here in Maharashtra. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has become an old idol now, you can find new ones from Babasaheb Ambedkar to Nitin Gadkari.”
The comments received severe criticism from many corners with opposition parties demanding his apology. The descendants of the 17th-century Maratha King have asked for strict action and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove him from the post. They even warned of shutdown unless Governor Koshyari is removed from post.
“We shall take out a peaceful rally on Tuesday to express our displeasure. There are attempts to malign social leaders and put forth the wrong history before citizens. We condemn such acts,” Prashant Jagtap of NCP said earlier.
Amid the controversy, Koshyari has written to Union home minister Amit Shah saying he would never imagine even in his dream to insult icons like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
“I cannot even imagine in my dreams to insult icons like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Maharana Pratap and Shri Guru Govind Singh. You are aware that I do not hesitate to express regrets or apologise immediately even if I unintentionally made a mistake,” Koshyari said in the letter.
