Curfew In Maharashtra's Kolhapur After Clash Over Social Media Posts On Tipu Sultan

A curfew was imposed in Maharashtra's Kolhapur on Wednesday after two groups clashed over a controversial social media post.

The police had to resort to lathicharge to disperse the protesters who objected to the alleged use of Tipu Sultan's image along with an objectionable audio message as WhatsApp status by some locals.

Demanding action against those who allegedly put the image of the 18th-century Mysore ruler along with an offensive dialogue on their social media profiles, a group of right-wing activists held a protest on Tuesday. Police pacified them and told them to return.

The Kolhapur Police have also booked some people in that connection.

"Some organisations had called for a Kolhapur bandh and the members of these organisations gathered at Shivaji Chowk today. After their demonstration ended, the crowd began to disperse but some miscreants started pelting stones, forcing police to use force against these people to disperse them," news agency PTI quoted Kolhapur Superintendent of Police Mahendra Pandit as saying.

The SP said they appealed to the agitators to maintain peace and withdraw the agitation.

Dipak Kesarkar, the guardian minister, said that action has been taken against those who had used Tipu Sultarn's image along with an objectionable audio message.

Following the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde appealed to the public for peace and calm.

"It's the government's responsibility to maintain law and order in the state. I also appeal to the public for peace and calm. The police investigation is underway and action will be taken against those found guilty".