Bhima-Koregaon Anniversary LIVE: Thousands Pay Tribute at 'Jay Stambh', Bhim Army Chief Set to Visit

Bhima-Koregaon Anniversary LIVE: A series of precautionary and security measures are in place in Maharashtra on the 201st anniversary of the Bhima-Koregaon war on Tuesday. Massive police deployment has been made in Bhima-Koregaon village and surroundings as lakhs of people from all over the state are expected to arrive at the spot. They will commemorate the anniversary of the historic Third Anglo-Maratha battle between the 834-strong British force comprising mostly of soldiers from the Dalit Mahar community and the 28,000-strong army of Peshwa Bajirao II, which was vanquished.

The British later erected a victory obelisk (memorial) and the Dalit castes regard it as their symbolic victory over the higher castes, which is celebrated annually on New Year Day, January 1 since the past 200 years.

Last year, however, the celebrations, attended by around 3,00,000 people had turned violent, killing one and effecting a Maharashtra shutdown on January 3, leading to a major churning in caste and ideological politics. Later, police swooped in on human rights, rights and civil society activists all over India to check ‘Urban Maoist’ activities in the wake of a conference held in Pune on December 31, 2017, on the eve of the Bhima-Koregaon battle’s 200th anniversary.

In a series of pre-emptive measures, the Mumbai Police last week detained Bhim Army president Chandrashekhar Azad, seven other leaders and around 350 activists from Malad, Ghatkopar, Kandivali, Dadar, Worli and other areas. Azad, who was kept under detention in the suburban Hotel Manali since Friday, will visit the Jay Stambh’ (Victory Pillar) at around 12.30pm. RPI chief and Union minister Ramdas Athawale will also address a public meeting at 1pm and meet the press at 4pm.

The state government has also barred Right-wing leaders like Sambhaji Bhide alias Guruji and Milind Ekbote, besides activists of the Left-leaning NGO, Kabir Kala Manch (KKM), which had organised the December 31, 2017 Elgaar Parishad in Pune, from Bhima-Koregaon from Sunday till Wednesday.

Following a recent plea by the government, the Bombay High Court has given control of the Bhima-Koregaon area to the state government for ensuring security during the 201st anniversary celebrations.

Accordingly, the police have deployed a massive force in and around the village, severe restrictions on movement of pedestrians or vehicular traffic, parking at 11 designated locations, multiple security check-posts, road barricades and a CCTV network in an eight km radius from the memorial complex.

“We are fully prepared to ensure peaceful and orderly celebrations at Koregaon-Bhima and ensure that no untoward incidents take place," Inspector-General of Police (Kolhapur Range) Vishwas Nangare-Patil told media persons on Saturday.

(With agency inputs)

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