A central pillar of the RSS/BJP’s fascist vision for India is that Dalits should remain at the bottom of Indian soc… https://t.co/nBpwBJhhbL — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) 1514893597000

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(With PTI inputs)

NEW DELHI: Congress president Rahul Gandhi hit out at the Centre over riots in the village of Koregaon-Bhima in Maharashtra, charging that the BJP 's "fascist vision" was to blame for increasing incidents of violence against the dalit community.Taking to Twitter, Rahul hailed the protests in the wake of inter-caste clashes in Koregaon-Bhima as "potent symbols" of dalit resistance against the Modi government's so-called "anti-dalit" policy."A central pillar of the RSS/BJP’s fascist vision for India is that Dalits should remain at the bottom of Indian society. Una, Rohith Vemula and now Bhima-Koregaon are potent symbols of the resistance," Rahul said in a tweet.On Monday, an event to mark 200th anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle in Pune district, in which forces of the East India Company defeated Peshwa 's army, was marred by stone-pelting and vandalism. One person was killed in the ensuing violence.Dalit leaders commemorate the British victory, as it is believed that soldiers from the Mahar community -- then considered untouchable -- were part of the East India Company's forces.However, some right-wing groups in Pune had expressed opposition to the celebrations of the "British victory".The violence had erupted after a local group and some members of the crowd on its way to the memorial had an argument over some issues. The incident escalated, sparking off protests in various parts of Maharashtra today, including in Mumbai where protesters staged a 'rail roko' in suburban Chembur.Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis appealed for peace and calm and said a judicial inquiry has been ordered into the violence which erupted in Koregaon-Bhima. He said the slain youth's death will be probed by the CID and announced Rs 10 lakh compensation for his kin.NCP chief Sharad Pawar slammed the administration for not taking preemptive steps to curb the violence which broke out yesterday."Since the administration did not take precautions, rumours and misunderstanding spread. A youth in Nanded died unfortunately. People from political and social field should defuse the situation harmoniously and patiently without making provocative speeches," the former Union minister appealed.