Youth Congress activists show black flags to Devendra Fadnavis in Osmanabad

During their black flag demonstration, the Youth Congress workers also demanded waiver of farm loans taken by agriculturists. Police resorted to cane charge to disperse the protesters, who were led by district Youth Congress president Umesh Raje Nimbalkar.

Nimbalkar and five other members of the Youth Congress were detained, a police official said. Meanwhile, Opposition Congress slammed the BJP-led government over the police against against its workers.

In a statement in Mumbai, Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan said it reflected the “dictatorial attitude” of the Fadnavis government. Chavan claimed the police in Jalna had put children of farmers in jail for protesting against Danve’s comments. “This is undeclared emergency where the police force is used to quell a democratic protest.”

“This is nothing but an attempt to silence those speaking against the BJP and its government,” the former chief minister said. Former minister and Congress MLA Madhukar Chavan also criticised the BJP-led government over the police action.