PUNE: Every year, Republican Sena conducts a rally in Koregaon-Bhima on January 1. So far, the government has not given permission for the rally. “We will conduct the rally and if anything goes wrong, the government will be responsible,” said Anandraj Ambedkar, National President of Republican Sena Party at a press conference in Pune on Tuesday.
Anandraj was in the limelight after his supporters occupied the Indu Mills land at Dadar in 2011 to highlight the demand for national memorial of Dr BR Ambedkar.
Ambedkar told media persons, “Last year, villagers had called for a sudden bandh in Koregaon-Bhima and people who went there had to face tremendous problems. The State government should take appropriate steps to avoid repetition of last year’s riot. They should arrest people who participated in the riot. Otherwise, there will be a riot in Koregaon-Bhima this year also.”
He said, “The government should make arrangements for drinking water, transportation and toilets for people coming to pay their respects at the memorial. They should undertake beautification of Koregaon-Bhima Memorial Pillar and provide police protection. Last year, due to lack of police presence, clashes happened. The government should install CCTV cameras in this area.”
He said if the government is unable to construct a Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial at Indu Mills area, they should hand over the land to Ambedkarites and they will construct a world class memorial.
