In a shocking video which went viral on social media, Ganesh Mandal members in Pune humiliated some migrant workers and asked them to do sit-ups for refusing to pay the Ganpati vargani or donations for the Ganesh festival.
A report by Indian Express says that three members of the Shri Ram Ganesh Mandal based in Bhosari have been booked by Police and been charged with bailable offence.
The workers — all Muslims in their 20s and 30s working in a bakery, have left for their homes after the incident. Assistant Police Inspector Mahesh Swamy has said that three to four youths had left for their village in Uttar Pradesh while others are not reporting for work out of fear.
The incident happened on August 15 and was recorded on camera by the mandal members. The video shows the youths being told to do sit-ups while holding their ears and being told to repeatedly say sorry.
The mandal workers had demanded donations of Rs 100, but the workers said they would pay only Rs 50. The mandal members then allegedly threatened them.
