204th anniversary of Koregaon Bhima battle marked

Undeterred by the rising number of Covid-19 cases and pandemic-related restrictions, thousands of people paid tributes to martyrs at the 'Jaystambh' military monument in Pune district of Maharashtra on Saturday morning to mark the 204th anniversary of the Koregaon Bhima battle, amid tight security.

In contrast, the 203rd anniversary of the historical battle last year was a low-key affair due to pandemic curbs. The 'Jaystambh' (victory pillar), as per a Dalit narrative, is the symbol of victory over casteism.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, state home minister Dilip Walse Patil and social welfare minister Dhananjay Munde were also among the visitors at the Jaystambh, located near Perne village.

As per the Dalit narrative, the British forces that fought the Peshwas at Koregaon Bhima on January 1, 1818, comprised largely of soldiers from the Dalit Mahar community, who waged a "war for freedom" from 'casteism' of the Peshwas. On January 1, lakhs of people, mainly from the Dalit community, visit the Jaystambh, which was erected by the British in memory of the soldiers who fought against the Peshwas in the Battle of Koregaon Bhima.

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Violence had broken out near Koregaon Bhima village during the 200th commemoration of the historical battle on January 1, 2018. According to police, "provocative" speeches made at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune a day before had triggered the violence.

This year, a senior police officer said that the district administration had appealed to people above 60 years and children below 10 years to avoid visiting the Jaystambh in view of the coronavirus pandemic. Police personnel were deployed in large numbers near the war memorial. Facilities like Covid-19 testing were also in place, the officer said.

As per the order issued by the Pune district administration under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), putting up hoardings or banners in villages around the memorial, posting content that can spread rumours, create hatred in communities, posting misleading information on social media platforms, was prohibited. The order came into effect from midnight of December 30 and will remain in force till 6 am on January 2.

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