Ambedkarite groups protest Nagpur civic body's notice to close Samvidhan Chowk road
Groups warn of an agitation against the Nagpur Municipal Corporation over a notice to close a road at Samvidhan Chowk for the expansion of the Vidhan Bhavan.
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation has issued a public notice to close a road at Samvidhan Chowk for the expansion of the Vidhan Bhavan. The road is 18 metres wide and about 80 metres long. The notice has caused widespread anger among Ambedkarite organisations and political parties.
On October 5, a protest was held at Samvidhan Chowk under the leadership of the All India Republican Party. The protesters demanded that the decision to close the road be withdrawn immediately. They alleged that the government was hatching a conspiracy to suppress democracy and the voice of people's movements.
The organisations said Samvidhan Chowk is a heritage and inspirational site of Nagpur. Every year, on April 14 and on December 6, Mahaparinirvan Diwas, lakhs of people gather here to pay tribute to Babasaheb Ambedkar. The existing space is already insufficient for the crowd.
The organisation demanded that, instead of closing the road, Samvidhan Chowk itself be expanded by acquiring the land behind Babasaheb's statue and a dilapidated building. According to them, many other government offices and school premises nearby are available for the expansion of the Vidhan Bhavan, and the government should consider these options.
A delegation led by BSP city president Aniket Kuttarmare lodged a formal objection with the municipal commissioner. State president Prakash Kumbhe and working president Kshitij Gaikwad said Samvidhan Chowk is the main venue for democratic movements across Vidarbha. They said taking away a place of protest was like strangling democracy.
Several social organisations and citizens' forums have warned that if the administration does not withdraw the decision, which they call anti-people, a fierce, phased agitation will be launched in the coming days.
The protesters said plainly that Samvidhan Chowk is a symbol of the pride and democratic rights of Nagpur's citizens. According to them, any attempt to close or shrink any part of it will not be tolerated.
