The Union Cabinet cleared a bill to hand over physical possession of the now-defunct Indu Mills land to the state for a memorial to the Dalit icon Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar. But Dalit parties have demanded an immediate bhoomi poojan at the site.
The centre’s decision comes nearly a year after the government had announced its move to give a portion of the land to the state government to set up the memorial for Ambedkar.
Dalit groups, which have been fighting for the monument for past several years, had laid siege to the compound last year, forcing the government to agree to earmark the entire 12.5-acre plot for the purpose.
However, there had not been much progress despite the assurance.
The NCP, an ally of Congress, also criticised the Congress-led UPA for delaying the work.
Earlier, Republican Party of India chief Ramdas Athavale had threatened to launch an agitation on December 6, the death anniversary of Dr Ambedkar. On this day, lakhs of people congregate at Shivaji Park to pay homage to Dr Ambedkar.
The centre’s decision comes nearly a year after the government had announced its move to give a portion of the land to the state government to set up the memorial for Ambedkar.
Dalit groups, which have been fighting for the monument for past several years, had laid siege to the compound last year, forcing the government to agree to earmark the entire 12.5-acre plot for the purpose.
However, there had not been much progress despite the assurance.
The NCP, an ally of Congress, also criticised the Congress-led UPA for delaying the work.
Earlier, Republican Party of India chief Ramdas Athavale had threatened to launch an agitation on December 6, the death anniversary of Dr Ambedkar. On this day, lakhs of people congregate at Shivaji Park to pay homage to Dr Ambedkar.
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