Ambedkar death anniversary passes off peacefully

One million Dalits gather at Dadar Chowpatti.

The state government had a sigh of relief after 50th death anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar passed-off rather peacefully without any untoward incident.

Following the traditions since the death of Dr Ambedkar, almost 1 million of Dalits gathered at Dadar Chowpati where Dr Ambedkar was cremated.

Mumbai police are still keeping their fingers crossed and hoping the evening will also pass peacefully and Dalit masses will able return to their native villages and towns across Maharashtra and country without any untoward incident happening in the city.

As lakhs of Dalits were gathering in the city on the backdrop of violent protests by Dalits across the state Dalits after the disfiguring of Dr Ambedkar's statue at Kanpur and Dalit killings at Khairlangi, it was feared some anti-social elements might try to provoke the crowd and create trouble in city.

However even recent developments also failed to bring Republican leader together as each one held his separate rally at the Chaittyabhumbai.

All major Republican leaders which includes Dr Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar, MP Ramdas Athavale, President of People's Republican Party of India Jogendra Kavade and Dr Ambedkar's associate N M Kamble were seen on different platforms around Chattiabhumi along with their followers.

These rallies are expected to go till late in the evening. The police authorities are keeping close watch on these rallies as they fear some individual Dalit leaders might indulge in rhetoric and inflammatory speeches.

The security was enhanced throughout the city especially around Dadar and adjoining areas where lakhs of Dalit converge to pay homage to Dr Ambedkar. The contingents of Border Security Forces (BSF), Rapid Action Force, Riot Control Police and Central Reserve Police Force were deployed in the area.

The day also coincided with 16th anniversary of Babri Masjid demolition as well the annual Urs of Baba Maqdoomi Dargah at Mahim, also in central Mumbai, putting additional pressure on the government machinery to maintain law and order.

The state Government has declared holidays for schools and colleges today and some private companies and commercial establishments were also closed. There was less traffic on city roads and vehicles were diverted off main roads in central Mumbai to avoid snarls around Shivaji Park. We have deployed extra forces in Mumbai, and we are carefully monitoring the trains," said Director General of Police PS Pasricha.