Pilgrims Lathicharged, Says Maharashtra Opposition. D Fadnavis Denies It

While Opposition parties demanded a high-level probe and strict action, Mr Fadnavis claimed it was "only a little altercation".

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has dismissed allegations from the Opposition that the police used lathicharge to disperse devotees at a Pune temple ahead of a ceremonial procession. While Opposition parties demanded a high-level probe and strict action, Mr Fadnavis claimed it was "only a little altercation". 

'Warkaris' -- devotees of Lord Vitthal -- were rushing to enter the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Samadhi Mandir in Alandi town, 22 km from Pune city, during the procession which is part of the annual Ashadhi Ekadashi pilgrimage to Pandharpur Alandi town in Pune district.

Mr Fadnavis said his government, keeping in mind a stampede-like situation last year at the same place, tried to regulate the crowd by giving out a fixed number of passes, 75, to each group that was participating in the pilgrimage. 

However, some 400–500 youths insisted that they would participate in the pilgrimage and won't follow the decision on the restricted allotment of entry passes, the deputy chief minister said, which led to minor clashes with the police.