School Buses To Stay Off Roads In Mumbai Today

School buses will stay off the roads in Mumbai today in view of a Maharashtra bandh called by Dalit outfits to protest the violent clashes in Pune.

The School Bus Owners' Association (SBOA) today said it would not operate its fleet of 40,000 buses today.

However, if a particular bus owner wanted to operate his services tomorrow it would be their call, he added. "Law-and-order is beyond our control. Therefore, we cannot take the risk," Garg said.

The state government has said schools will remain open today. Dalit organisations have called a Maharashtra bandh to protest against the BJP-led state government's "failure" to stop the violence in Pune.

Clashes between Dalit groups and supporters of right-wing Hindu organisations during the 200th-anniversary celebrations of the Bhima-Koregaon battle in Pune district had left a man dead yesterday.

The clashes broke out at Bhima-Koregaon when people were headed towards the war memorial in the village, about 30 km from Pune city, the police had said.

Also Read: Mumbai Local Trains Halted As Protests Against Bhima-Koregaon Violence Spread

Dalit groups were celebrating the bicentenary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle, which the forces of the British East India Company had won over those of the Peshwa.

Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community -- then considered untouchables -- were part of the East India Company's forces. The Peshwas were Brahmins and the victory was seen as a symbol of assertiveness by Dalits.