Ambedkar followers throng city

Lakhs of followers of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar paid homage to their leader through Thursday on his 56th death anniversary, observed as Mahaparini-rvan Din. People from all over the country were seen converging at Chaityab-hoomi near Shivaji Park in a bid to pay homage to their leader. Trucks and tempos filled with Ambedkar’s followers flocked to Shivaji Park from early morning to have a glimpse of the memorial. They all seemed visibly happy a day after the Centre announced that a memorial would be built at Indu Mill land, as had been the demand of the public. The city’s public transport wing, BEST undertaking, ran special buses between Dadar and Shivaji Park, an official said, adding that foodstalls were also being put up to provide free snacks. The BMC set up temporary sheds, mobile toilets and six medical stalls at Shivaji Park, Dadar Station, at Rajgriha (Ambedkar’s residence) and Kurla Terminus. Arrangements were also made to provide drinking water at Shivaji Park, they said. Heavy police bandobast was deployed in the area, but the day went peacefully and no incident of violence was reported. 1,2000 policemen were deployed in Shivaji Park and Dadar areas along with other units like the Quick Response Teams and the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF). Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar were among the leaders who paid homage to Dr Ambedkar at Chaityabhoomi. At Mantralaya, the state secretariat, floral tributes were also offered to the late leader. Speaking to reporters, Mr Pawar welcomed the Centre’s announcement regarding the handover of the India United (Indu) Mill land for Ambedkar’s memorial. “A long pending demand of lakhs of followers of Ambedkar has been fulfilled. No one should try to claim credit for the decision,” Mr Pawar said.