Gaikwad has been attacked by the Ambedkar's kin and some of his followers for having the structure demolished in the middle of night and in turn destroying the history and Ambedkar's printing press. He was also named in the FIR.
A grand Ambedkar Bhavan will come up in two years where the old structure stood. The information was given by adviser of People's Improvement Trust (PIT) Ratnakar Gaikwad on Saturday. A number of Ambedkar followers had protested following the demolition of Ambedkar Bhavan in Dadar in the middle of the night.
"It will be constructed in two years provided there are no problems. It will be made Babasaheb Ambedkar Research and Training Institute's (BARTI) funds and there will be no private participation. BARTI will be getting an entire floor so there is no donation as such from them for the Rs60 crore they will be giving to build the structure," said Gaikwad also state chief information commissioner.
Gaikwad has been attacked by the Ambedkar's kin and some of his followers for having the structure demolished in the middle of night and in turn destroying the history and Ambedkar's printing press. He was also named in the FIR.
"The printing press bought by Dr. Babasaheb was disposed off long back. These were some other which too were not functioning for a long time," claimed Gaikwad. On a rally being planned to oppose the midnight demolition and the 17-storey structure that will come up, Gaikwad said: "If they are serious with their objection, why do they not approach court. In fact, we are looking to approach court to restrain them from taking over the property. It is the property of the society."
When questioned if it was not unlawful to demolish the structure in the middle of the night, Gaikwad said: "If the demolition was done in the morning, there would have been bloodshed. If they do not allow inspection in the presence of 100 policemen, how demolition would have happened."
Does that still allow for a midnight demolition and is it not for the law to be followed? "Had we not demolished, we would have been prosecuted for not doing it because there was a BMC notice on the same. If there was any illegality, the CM would have not come. Otherwise also my understanding of the law is that it demolition cannot be carried out by public authorities in the night. That is not the case with private organisation," said Gaikwad of the Trust.
While Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of Ambedkar who is planning a rally on July 19 was not available for comment, Anandraj Ambedkar said: "Ambedkarites do not want any money from the government. They are capable enough to build the building from their own fund. These people do not have any support in public so cannot collect money. If we go around Rs100 crore will be collected in a month or so. Giving five or six floors to BARTI is against Babasaheb's vision."
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