Communal violence at a bicentennial commemoration of the Battle of Koregaon Bhima left one dead and five injured, intensifying political tensions in Maharashtra.
Key Facts
- Date
- 1 January 2018
- Deaths
- 1 (28-year-old youth)
- Injuries
- 5
- Anniversary commemorated
- 200th anniversary of the Battle of Koregaon Bhima
- Organising justices
- B. G. Kolse Patil and P. B. Sawant
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
An annual gathering at Koregaon Bhima was organised by retired justices B. G. Kolse Patil and P. B. Sawant to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Koregaon Bhima. The event, known as the Elgar Parishad convention, drew large crowds to the site in Maharashtra for a celebratory commemoration.
On 1 January 2018, violence and stone pelting broke out among the crowd assembled at Koregaon Bhima during the bicentennial commemoration. The unrest resulted in the death of a 28-year-old youth and injuries to five other individuals, disrupting what had been an annual celebratory gathering.
The riots triggered widespread political controversy and unrest across Maharashtra. Subsequent investigations led to high-profile arrests of activists under anti-terror legislation, drawing national and international attention to questions of civil liberties and communal tensions in India.
Political Outcome
Violence resulted in one death and five injuries; the incident sparked prolonged political and legal controversies in Maharashtra.