Fri Aug 01 22:00:36 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the provided text and a rewrite of it as a news article suitable for publication, incorporating the provided context:

**Summary:**

Communal tensions flared in Yavat village, Pune, Maharashtra, on August 1, 2025, after a controversial WhatsApp status update related to an alleged rape incident in Madhya Pradesh went viral. The post, referencing a priest and an incident in MP, sparked outrage, leading to mob violence. Damage was inflicted on vehicles, a bakery, and a religious prayer place. Police responded by detaining the individual who posted the status, imposing Section 163, deploying additional forces, and shutting down the local market. The situation is currently under control, but strict action is promised against those involved in inciting violence. Eyewitnesses suggest the violence was premeditated and that prior tensions related to a desecrated statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and a public meeting held by BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar also contributed to the unrest. The government has confirmed use of force to control mob.
**News Article:**

**Communal Clash Erupts in Pune Village Over Social Media Post; Tensions Simmering**

**Mumbai, August 2, 2025, 03:30 am IST** – Yavat, a village in Pune district, Maharashtra, witnessed a surge of communal violence on Friday, August 1, 2025, triggered by a provocative WhatsApp status update. The post, referencing an alleged rape incident involving a priest in Madhya Pradesh, ignited outrage and led to clashes between groups.

The controversial status update, featuring a collage of images and a message criticizing the accused priest, was circulated widely, sparking strong reactions from villagers. An eyewitness, Sameer Sayyed, highlighted the villagers objection over the status and the violence erupted after the accused was questioned. According to police reports, the mob violence resulted in damage to cars, a bakery, and a religious site.

Police acted swiftly, detaining the individual who posted the status and imposing Section 163 to prevent further incitement. Special Inspector General (IG) for Kolhapur, Sunil Phulari, stated that additional police forces, including the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), were deployed to maintain law and order. The weekly market in Yavat was shut down as part of efforts to restore normalcy.

“The situation is now under control and peaceful,” IG Phulari said. “We will take strict action against those individuals, both local and outsiders, found to be involved in instigating this violence.”

However, the incident appears to be the culmination of existing tensions in the area. Just days prior, an incident involving the desecration of a Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue had already heightened sensitivities in Yavat. Furthermore, a public meeting held by BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar on July 31, during which he addressed the desecration incident and called for action against illegal immigrants, is also being examined as a potential contributing factor.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has acknowledged the use of lathi charge to control the situation and cautioned against the use of social media to incite communal unrest. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar confirmed that the status update concerned an incident in Madhya Pradesh.

SP Sandip Gill stated that the suspects involved in the vandalism and stone-pelting are yet to be detained.

The situation in Yavat remains tense, and authorities are closely monitoring developments to prevent any further escalation. This incident underscores the potent impact of social media on communal harmony and the need for responsible online behavior.

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