Dalits call off Maharashtra bandh after bringing state to its knees

BJP and other right-wing parties have accused Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani of inciting the Bhima-Koregaon violence

The bandh spearheaded by Dalit groups in Maharashtra has been called off after a day protests and violence saw traders downing shutters and rail and road traffic being in Mumbai and other parts of the state.

Maharashtra had remained on edge after the anniversary of a battle fought 200 years ago brought to fore simmering caste tensions even as a statewide bandh called on Wednesday to protest the state government's alleged failure to stop violence witnessed stray protest by Dalits. 

Violence had spilled over to adjoining parts of Maharashtra after clashes broke out between the Dalits and alleged right-wing groups