Right-wing opposes battle of Koregaon celebrations

Pune: A few thousand followers of 20 social organisations across Maharashtra will gather at Shaniwar Wada, Pune, on January 31, 2018, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of defeat of the Peshwa's army by the then British Indian Army's Mahar regiment in the battle of Bhima Koregaon. However right-wing organisations have opposed the celebration saying it will create differences among various castes. Meanwhile, historians claim that the Peshwa's army won the battle.

The Sambhaji Brigade, Kabir Kala Manch, Muslim Mulnivasi Sangh and Rashtra Seva Dal are among the 20 state organisations that have started the march to celebrate completion of 200 years of the Bhima Koregaon battle. According to them, the Mahar regiment, with the help of Muslims, historians and other bahujan castes, won this battle against the Peshwa, who was an oppressor of lower castes.

The likes of Radhika Vemula, Prakash Ambedkar and Soni Suri will also be present at the programme. Later, the group will walk towards Bhima Koregaon where a memorial was built by the Mahar regiment.

Jyoti Jagtapof from Kabir Kala Manch said, “Twenty-two Mahar, 16 Maratha, two Muslims and many others from bahujan castes were martyred in this war to annihilate caste.”