Babasaheb Ambedkar worship on at ‘seized’ Indu Mills in Mumbai

The Indu Mills plot, captured by the activists of the Republican Sena on December 6, has already assumed a shrine status, at least symbolically.

In fact, the holed up activists are demanding that a ‘Statue of Equality’ be built on the erstwhile mill land.

On Mahaparinirvan Day, around 800 activists barged in to the mill land to claim what they believe is rightfully theirs. Busts of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Gautam Buddha were kept inside, as Buddhist monks performed prayers inside.

Ever since, hundreds of Ambedkar followers are thronging the place on a daily basis for worshipping the busts. The monks are living inside, while a few policemen can be seen sitting at the entrance guarding the mill.

“The capture of Indu Mills was not carried out by certain community, but by followers of Babasaheb from all castes and religions who participated in the act. On Sunday, our leader Anandraj Ambedkar held discussions with an architect about the future plan and we have decided to construct a huge ‘Statue of Equality’ on the mill land,” said Ramesh Jadhav, Mumbai chief of Republican Sena.

Along with the plan of statue, a world-class memorial of Dr Ambedkar is on the agenda.

“There’s been a long-pending demand to build a memorial that will attract people from all over the world. If the government does not agree to it, then the people from over the world are ready to contribute for the cause and the work will be completed with their help,” said Kashinath Nikalje, Maharashtra chief of Republican Sena.

While making it clear that occupants will not vacate the mill land at any cost, Jadhav said, “If the administration uses force against us, then the repercussions of their action will be felt all over Maharashtra.” He recalled that in spite of repeated requests to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to provide dustbins and mobile toilets for the benefit of people inside, the civic body hasn’t bothered.

Inside Indu Mills, each and every structure bears the slogans against Congress-led state government for not transferring the mill land. At the same time, hundreds of followers of Ambedkar are visiting the place as a mark of support to the action.