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Dalit outfits unite for Indu Mill land

The Centre’s dilly-dallying of handing over of 12.5 acres of Indu Mill land at Dadar for the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar memorial has upset Dalit leaders across Maharashtra.

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The Centre’s dilly-dallying of handing over of 12.5 acres of Indu Mill land at Dadar for the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar memorial has upset Dalit leaders across Maharashtra. To assert their political might over the state government, nine Dalit organisations have set aside their differences for the common cause.

The Republican Party of India (RPI) and Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) are mobilising public support to pressure the government to fulfil its decade-old promise of giving land for the Ambedkar memorial. RPI leader Ramdas Athavale asked why the Congress should delay the process when it is ruling in the state and at the Centre. “If promises made by the government are not kept, people are bound to be upset.”

The RPI has indicated to the state government that if land is not sanctioned before December 6, Ambedkar’s death anniversary, its activists will forcibly take charge of the mill. Sensing the mood of the people, state home minister RR Patil has ordered additional deployment of police force. Fearing that speeches by political leaders could rouse sentiments of activists, triggering law and order issues in the city, Patil and chief minister Prithviraj Chavan have urged Dalit leaders to show restraint and ensure law and order.

Dalit writer Arjun Dangle said that a die-hard Ambedkar follower is not interested in violence, but added that the government was testing their patience. Dalit leaders also point out how the state government has, for 10 years, used the memorial as an election plank to strengthen its Dalit vote bank.  An expert of Ambedkar studies, Tusshar Jagtap, said, “Unfortunately, government perceives the memorial as a poll promise. Babasaheb cannot be confined to politics or Dalits. His writings and teachings have global relevance. A memorial in Mumbai should be a matter of pride.”

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