Collecting ‘Vargani’ is common practice for religious festivals in Maharashtra.
Three members of a Ganesh mandal from Erandwane were arrested on this week under the charges of extortion for ransacking a restaurant after its owner asked them to comeback later to collect ‘Vargani’ (contribution) for the forthcoming festival.
On Sunday night, the trio – all local residents – had ransacked the unnamed restaurant and abused customers after its owner told them to come the next day to collect his donation. The restaurant owner was assaulted and the customers abused while the restaurant was ransacked and the motorcycles parked outside were damaged.
The local police have taken the lead in their crackdown against this seasonal extortion in the name of religious donations. They have appealed to owners and customers alike to come file their complaints if they are harassed for Vargani.
