Maratha stir

The protesters turned violent in Aurangabad’s Kaygaon during Shinde’s funeral, which was performed amid brewing tension, with tight security arrangement. Local Shiv Sena MP Chandrakant Khaire was reportedly manhandled by the mob and his vehicle pelted with stones.

“Private and state transport buses were also set on fire. Similar incidents of stone-pelting and buses being set on fire are being reported in Hingoli and other parts of Marathwada,” a police officer from Aurangabad said on the condition of anonymity.

The shutdown affected all the eight districts of Marathwada region but there was a mixed response in the rest of the state.

“The bandh has got a huge response in all eight districts of Marathwada. Once the funeral is over, we will decide what to do next,” Maratha Sakal Samaj’s Ravindra Kale said.

In Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai shops, schools and colleges were open and there were no disruptions in public transport.

“The call was given by organisations from central Maharashtra late on Monday. Organisers from other parts of the state, particularly in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai, did not get time to prepare for it,” Virendra Pawar, one of the Mumbai-based organisers, said.

“We have also not pressed for it as devotees who had gathered at Pandharpur for Ashadhi Ekadashi are heading home. We will have meetings on Tuesday afternoon and decide on our future