Mumbai: Monks in Mumbai are swearing off violence, praying at the spot where the body of a Buddhist monk Bhante Sanghraj Thore was found on Sunday.
The death had sparked unrest all over Mumbai with Dalit activists forcibly closing shops and burning vehicles.
While the police say that Bhante committed suicide, his order of monks as well as locals in this area in northeast Mumbai allege that he was killed over a 10,000 sqare foot plot of land.
“There was a disagreement between Bhante and the builders. They wanted the land but he did not agree,” says a monk, Bhante Ayupa.
The monks allege that the police did not record their complaints and tried to hush up the death.
Since Sunday, large crowds have been gathering outside the monk’s residence. They accuse the builder of the plot, Lakdawala Builders, of killing him.
Meanwhile, the police have had their hands full, with Dalit activists protesting across the city. Stray incidents of violence were reported on Monday as well.
It's ironic that violence has broken out over the death of a Buddhist monk, the symbol of a non violent life. But the Order has made their followers promise that protests will now be peaceful.
“We have decided to give them three days after which all the Buddhists will converge here. This violence had to happen but we are asking people to be peaceful,” says Bhante Ayupa.
Pressure from the Republican Party of India and the Order paid off with the police taking note of their demand.
"We have registered a case of murder and the case is under investigation,” says Vijay Kamble, Acting Commissioner of Police.
The builder's staff, meanwhile, says he is out of the country. It remains to be seen whether the protesters stick to their promise of peace.
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