A day after the descendents of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar filed an FIR against the demolition of the historic Ambedkar Bhavan in Dadar, thousands of people paid a visit to the site on Sunday. Fearing an escalation of tensions in the already-fraught area, the administration deployed heavy security around the site of the demolished building.
Dr. Ambedkar’s grandson, Prakash, has lodged an FIR with Bhoiwada police against former IAS officer and State Information Commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad and Madhukar Kamble, a trustee with the People’s Improvement Trust, in connection with the demolition.
Kashinath Nikalje, president, Republican Sena, said, “”The demolition took place without any prior notice from the BMC or any authority. Some members of the PIT along with police personnel came at 2 a.m. on Saturday and demolished this historic 72-year-old site, where Babasahab compiled the Constitution of India. He had also set up his printing press here. The PIT has not only demolished the Bhavan but also has stolen air conditioners, fans and cupboards from the office as well as many articles related to Babasahab, totally worth Rs 10 lakh.”
He added the government has assured them that the trustees will be arrested within 24 hours. “If the government fails to do so, we will take our agitation to the state level and call for a Maharashtra shutdown,” he said.
Youth Republican Sena, Mumbai president Dayanand Parikchhalay said, “Six offices have been demolished by the PIT, including the Yasodhara Computer Centre, Buddha Bhushan Printing Press and the Republican Sena's office.
People had expressed their outrage at the demolition on social media as well. Dr Jitendra Awhad tweeted, “For personal gains Ambedkar Bhavan is demolished #mahrashtragovt should build it again as a memory of Dr. Ambedkar’s 125 birth anniversary”.
The writer is an intern with The Hindu
We have not given any call for Mumbai bandh, but people are very angry. I don’t know what will happen on Monday if action is not takenAnandraj AmbedkarRepublican Sena
