Jan 1, 2023, marked the 205th anniversary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle. Ambedkarites from Maharashtra and other parts of the country were assembled by the Ranstambh in Perne, Pune. Thousands of officers from the police force were deployed at Koregaon Bhima for security.
Off late, the name of Bhima Koregaon is associated with the ongoing case where violence followed the annual celebrations on Jan 1, 2018. This led to an increase of political prisoners including Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj, Arun Ferreira and many lawyers, journalists and activists.
5 years have passed since the violence. In spite of court directions to NIA asking for all evidence, only 40% of the evidence has been shared.
Here is why the place is of significance.
Perne, a small village on Pune’s map, carries a history very important in the Maratha history. On this day in 1818, a Dalit-dominated British Army defeated Peshwa Bajirao II’s army in the last Anglo-Maratha war. This battle is of utmost importance for Dalits and Dalit history as it was a victory against oppressive caste injustices by Mahars.
To mark the significance of this battle, a pillar of victory was erected by the English East India Company in memory of the soldiers. Although this pillar was initially intended to serve the power of the British, it today serves as a memorial for the soldiers belonging to the Mahars. This pillar is popular today and called the Jaystambh.
The Dalit narrative states that the Mahar soldiers, under the British army’s command, defeated the Peshwas leading to an end to their oppression. However, scholar and writer Anand Teltumbde considers this narrative to be misleading pushing Dalits deeper into an “identitarian marshland.”
By – Veena
Bangalore Correspondent
WOM
