Lakhs of followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar gathered at the Chaitya Bhumi in Central Mumbai to pay tribute to him on his 51st 'Mahaparinirvan Din'.
MUMBAI: Lakhs of followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar on Thursday gathered at the Chaitya Bhumi in Central Mumbai to pay tribute to the architect of the Indian Constitution on his 51st 'Mahaparinirvan Din' (death anniversary).
'Chaitya Bhumi' is the place where Ambedkar was cremated on December 7, 1956 following his demise in Delhi a day earlier. It is a venue for his followers who gather here from all parts of the country and pay respects to their 'messiah'.
Thousands of people waving blue flags marched to the Shivaji Park ground. A youth from Shivaji Chowk area of Latur, who was accompanied by his friends, said he has been coming to Chaitya Bhumi for the last couple of years.
Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil offered floral tributes to Ambedkar's statue in Vidhan Bhawan this morning. Public Works Minister Chhagan Bhujbal garlanded the late leader's portrait at Mantralaya.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had made elaborate arrangement for the convenience of the people at the Chaitya Bhumi. Toilets and washing rooms were set up, as also water tankers and other facilities.
Municipal authorities also put up a control room atChaitya Bhumi. A temporary fire station, health centres, railway reservation counters and telephone centres were also set up.
Junctions and roads near Dadar, Shivaji Park and Bandra witnessed traffic congestion as people made their way to Chaitya Bhumi. Traffic police had put up a number of signs at various junctions to indicate the direction of traffic.
Social Justice Minister Chandrakant Handore and Congress MLA Bhai Jagtap inaugurated a poster exhibition at Chaitya Bhumi.
Leaders of various factions of the Republican Party of India addressed public meetings near Ambedkar's memorial at Chaitya Bhumi. The meetings were held in the backdrop of BSP leader Mayawati's recent public meeting here and her attempts to woo Dalits in the state into her party fold.
A few followers of Ambedkar today announced setting up of an organisation called Republican Panthers, aimed at 'annihilation of caste system'.
Railways operated special long-distance trains for the convenience of those coming to Chaitya Bhumi from various parts of the country.
However, there were complaints from several commuters that people coming to the venue had occupied reserved railway compartments, causing inconvenience to those having confirmed
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