Nagpur, Dec 04: CPI leader D Raja on Monday courted arrest in Nagpur to protest the Khairlanji Dalit killings. Police had yesterday banned the entry of CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat and RPI chief Ramadas Athwale and four other prominent Dalit leaders in Nagpur, which witnessed violent protests against the vandalisation of Ambdekar statue in Kanpur.
Raja had earlier informed media that he, along with others, would defy prohibitory orders and take out a march and court arrest.
There was tight police security in the city.
RPI MP Ramdas Athawale detained
RPI leader and MP Ramdas Athawale was detained by city police on his arrival at the airport here today, police said.
Dalit leaders, including Prakash Ambedkar, Jogendra Kawade, Sulekha Kumbhare and Rajendra Gavai were scheduled to take part in the protest rally.
However, as police denied permission to Dalit organisations for the rally in view of the commencement of the winter session of Maharashtra Legislature today and the recent incidents of violence in parts of the state, the Dalit outfits are likely to organise a peace meeting.
Meanwhile, police also appealed to people not to assemble at `Deekshabhoomi` where late Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar had embraced Buddhism in 1956.
Bureau Report
