Ambedkarite groups march in Chandrapur, demand dissolution of Deeksha Bhoomi committee

A large protest march was taken out in Chandrapur on Tuesday by the Deeksha Bhoomi Mukti Andolan, demanding an end to one family's long-standing control over Deeksha Bhoomi and the resumption of stalled development work there. The march began at the full statue of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and ended at the district collector's office.

Buddhist and Ambedkarite community members from across the district, representatives of various organisations and ordinary citizens took part in large numbers under the banner of the Deeksha Bhoomi Mukti Andolan. On reaching the collector's office, the protesters raised slogans, questioned the administration over the development work stalled for years, and submitted a detailed memorandum of their demands to the collector.

Those in the march said the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial Society, Chandrapur, has for years been dominated by members of a single family and their relatives, which has stalled all development of the sacred Deeksha Bhoomi. They demanded that this family control be ended immediately, the committee dissolved, and replaced with official community representatives elected or nominated by Buddhist community members across the district, to bring transparency to its functioning.

The protesters also demanded that the Rs 56.90 crore fund approved by the Maharashtra government be used strictly as per the original plan. They want the construction of the Buddha Vihar, modelled on the Ajanta Caves and designed by architect Shivdamal, completed according to the same original plan whose foundation stone was laid by Bhadant Anand Kausalyayan and which was approved by the Chandrapur Municipal Council on March 28, 1988. They said the approved plan is a historical heritage and must not be altered, and that any unauthorised changes already made to it must be thoroughly investigated.

Those in the march demanded a structural audit of the Deeksha Bhoomi stupa by at least three separate expert agencies, in the presence of community representatives, with the report made public immediately. They also demanded that the historic Dhammachakra Pravartan Din, held every year on October 15 and 16, be observed officially by the community with all Buddha Vihar mandals included, that administrative permission for rallies and events be granted without obstruction, that no stalls be allowed near the boundary wall or on the premises during the event, and that adequate toilets be built for women and men.

To preserve the historical and religious significance of the Deeksha Bhoomi premises, the protesters issued a strong warning against any new unauthorised construction on the site and demanded a complete stop to the use of the sacred site for any commercial or political event. A delegation of protesters submitted their memorandum of demands to the district administration at the end of the march. Community members warned that if the administration does not take a prompt, positive decision on these demands linked to the identity of the Ambedkarite public, the agitation will be intensified.