Sadhus were protesting the September 22 lathicharge on an idol-immersion procession.

The law and order situation in Varanasi turned ugly on Monday evening as thousands of sadhus, along with their followers, torched over a dozen vehicles and a police picket in Godawlia area of Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Parliamentary constituency. Later, the curfew was lifted after the situation returned to normal, said Varanasi District Magistrate Rajmani Yadav.

Earlier in the day, police resorted to lathicharge, in which at least two dozen people sustained serious injuries. Cops also used tear gas and allegedly opened fire to disperse the crowd.

While the city witnessed violence till late evening, indefinite curfew was imposed in four police station areas, including Kitwali, Laksa, Chawk and Dashashwamedh Ghat.

The protest was against the September 22 lathicharge on Sadhus and their supporters, when they were taking out a procession for Lord Ganesha's idol immersion in the Ganga. The local administration had then argued that the immersion was prohibited by the Allahabad High Court. However, the authorities had ignored the court's instruction to provide another space for idol immersion.

Large gathering

Over 20,000 people, including sadhus, reportedly gathered at Town Hall Ground and proceeded towards Dashashwamedh Ghat while shouting "Har Har Mahadev".

The procession had Lord Shiva's palanquin, as sadhus had earlier announced that Lord Vishwanath would personally lead the procession. Sadhus and women walked behind the palanquin, followed by their supporters.

Sadhus had declared last week that they would take out the Anyaya Pratikar Yatra (A journey against injustice) with their supporters observing a shutdown on Monday. However, the local administration made no arrangements for a peaceful protest.

BJP leader Sadhvi Prachi, who was camping in the city for many days, alleged that the state government ordered the September 22 lathicharge to appease the minority community.

Yadav had said that he held a meeting with Swami Avimukteshwaranand at Sri Vidya Math and had given his consent for idol immersion in the Ganga in future.

Avimukteshawarnand had also sustained injuries in the lathicharge. The DM had ordered an inquiry into the incident and assured that every step would be taken to maintain peace.

The seers demanded an apology for the lathicharge.

Congress general secretary Madhusudan Mistry had also met Avimukteshwaranand last week to extend his party's support to him.

"Many policemen have also sustained injuries. The situation is now in control. Paramilitary forces have been deployed to maintain law and order," said the Varanasi DM.

"The BJP is intoxicated after coming to power at the Centre. Its leaders are trying to ignite violence in the state to deviate us from development," said Rajendra Chaudhary, Samajwadi Party spokesperson.