Memorial to 17 Marathwada Liberation martyrs demolished by bulldozer in Dharashiv, citizens demand action

A memorial pillar built in memory of the martyrs of the Marathwada liberation struggle was demolished with a bulldozer in Dharashiv city. It has emerged that the Dharashiv municipality carried out the work. The pillar honoured those who gave their lives to free Marathwada from the Nizam's rule.

The pillar stood in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Park in the central part of the city. It is said to have been reduced to rubble. Citizens are sharply angry. Citizens and relatives of the martyrs are demanding strict action against the officials and employees responsible for the incident.

The memorial was earlier in front of the city's old police station. It was shifted to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Park a few years ago. The names of 17 martyrs who laid down their lives in the Marathwada liberation struggle were engraved on it. The Preamble to the Constitution of India was engraved on the back of the pillar. The national emblem, the Lion Capital, and the Ashoka Chakra were also depicted on it. People therefore did not regard it as merely a structure of stone and earth. They saw it as a symbol that preserved the memory of the history of the Marathwada liberation struggle and the sacrifice of the martyrs.

Citizens allege that the administration was responsible for looking after the historic pillar but paid it no sustained attention. Cleaning, painting and upkeep of the surroundings were expected of the administration. In fact, local citizens and relatives of the martyrs were coming forward to do this work themselves. Tributes were also paid to the martyrs here on various national and historic days.

People say that instead of regular maintenance, the administration finally ran a bulldozer over it, which has deepened the anger. Citizens say the memory of the martyrs, whose sacrifice brought freedom to Marathwada, could not be preserved, and instead their memorial itself was flattened.

Several questions are now being raised. Who finally decided to demolish the pillar, whose permission was taken, and were the martyrs' relatives or concerned citizens informed before it was pulled down? Questions are also being asked about what was done with the martyrs' names, the Preamble to the Constitution and the national symbols inscribed on the pillar. The demand is that the administration take a clear stand on these matters.

Citizens want an inquiry into the matter. They want responsibility fixed on the officer who ordered the demolition, the employees who acted on the spot and those behind the decision, and strict action taken against the guilty.

Citizens say that, instead of protecting places linked to the memory of martyrs, letting them come to such a state raises a serious administrative question. The demand is therefore growing that the municipal administration not stop at offering an explanation. They want it to fix responsibility and take a firm decision on rebuilding the memorial and maintaining it properly.