Ganesh mandal chief dies during immersion procession, police lathicharge alleged

A shocking incident occurred during the Ganesh immersion procession in Bhingar suburb of Ahilyanagar district. Deepak Waghaskar, president of the Shukleshwar Tarun Ganesh Mandal, died during the procession. The incident has created a tense atmosphere in the Bhingar area.

Mandal workers and MLA Sangram Jagtap have alleged that a police lathicharge is behind Waghaskar's death. It has also been claimed that Waghaskar was injured in the alleged lathicharge. However, it is not yet clear whether his death was caused by the lathicharge or by another medical reason.

According to the workers, permission for the Ganesh immersion procession had been given until 10 pm. But it is alleged that around 9.30 pm, police suddenly carried out a mild lathicharge on the procession. Workers say Waghaskar was injured in this action. He was rushed to hospital for treatment but died while undergoing treatment. There are demands for an inquiry into exactly how events unfolded during the procession, the circumstances under which the lathicharge was carried out if it did take place, and the precise injury Waghaskar suffered.

On learning of Waghaskar's death, his supporters and Ganesh mandal workers were angered. A sit-in protest was held outside the hospital under the leadership of MLA Sangram Jagtap. The protesters demanded that a case be registered against the police officers and personnel concerned. They also demanded a thorough inquiry into the incident and action against whoever is found guilty.

MLA Jagtap and the workers have taken the stance that Bhingar will remain shut and the Ganesh immersion will not take place until a case is registered against the police concerned. MLA Jagtap has warned that if a case is not registered, the Ganesh immersion scheduled to take place in Ahilyanagar city on Friday will also be stopped. This has raised the possibility that the fallout from this case could affect the next immersion procession as well.

Meanwhile, the exact cause of Deepak Waghaskar's death has not yet been established. No official information has come from doctors on whether the death was caused by the lathicharge or by another medical reason. The police administration too has not yet issued a detailed official position on the incident. As a result, a direct link between the lathicharge allegation and the death has not been confirmed at this stage. The medical report, the situation at the spot and the police inquiry are expected to clarify exactly how the incident unfolded. Until then, protesters continue to demand an inquiry into the allegations against the police and action against those responsible.