Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) chief Prakash Ambedkar on the occasion of the 207th anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle on Wednesday said the day was a reminder of the caste oppression faced by the ancestors of the people from his community and urged them to draw inspiration from the victory.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Ambedkar wrote, "My dear people, the Bhima-Koregaon Shaurya Diwas is a reminder of a step forward of our ancestors in the struggle against caste oppression. Draw inspiration from the victory of the 500 (499 Mahars and 1 Matang) soldiers, and the Alutedar forces, over their Brahmanical Peshwas rulers."
"Hold a positive memory of their valour and use it as a symbol of an independent Ambedkarite political aspiration, just what Babasaheb wanted. When you visit the Jay Stambh today and in the near future, honour the soldiers and commit your vote to fulfil the aspiration and ambition of Babasaheb — an independent Ambedkarite political power. Jai Bhim," he added.
Meanwhile, a large number of people gathered in Bhima Koregaon at the Jay Stambh, erected in honour of the soldiers who fought in the battle.
Every year, Bhima Koregaon becomes a significant pilgrimage site as thousands of visitors gather to commemorate the anniversary of the historic battle that occurred on January 1, 1818. This battle was a pivotal conflict between the British East India Company and the Peshwa faction of the Maratha Confederacy. The event marked a critical moment in Indian history, symbolising resistance against colonial rule. People from various backgrounds, mostly Ambedkarites, come to offer their tributes and honour the valour displayed by the soldiers, who fought in this battle.
Minister of State Madhuri Misal also visited the site to pay tribute on the occasion, saying that it was a significant day. "This is a significant day. Babasaheb made a huge contribution to our country. Our country runs on his Constitution," she said.
Pune District Collector Suhas Diwase earlier provided details on the arrangements for the large number of visitors expected. He stated that more than 8 to 10 lakh followers are expected to visit the memorial site and have arranged parking space for more than 40,000 vehicles.
"More than 8-10 lakh followers are expected to visit. We have identified more than 45 places and about 280 acres of parking space. Parking arrangements have been made for more than 40,000 vehicles. More than eleven hundred buses are operating on these marked roads. Over 8,000 police personnel have been deployed, along with 13,000 personnel from teams like NDRF and the fire brigade," Diwase said.
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