Dharashiv memorial to 17 freedom fighters lies neglected, not even cleaned

The freedom fighters who gave their lives to liberate Marathwada from the Nizam's rule are being forgotten in their own city. A memorial in Dharashiv bearing the names of 17 martyrs of the Marathwada liberation struggle and the preamble of the Indian Constitution inscribed on stone is lying neglected, activists say, adding that it does not even get cleaned regularly. They expressed anger that government and administration representatives paid no attention to the memorial on Liberation Day.

The memorial stands in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Garden in Dharashiv city, formerly known as Osmanabad. It is also linked to the memory of freedom fighters from the Medsinga, Chilwadi, Kajala, Sarola and Utamikayapur areas. Activists say that while programmes are held, speeches are delivered and tributes paid every year in the names of these fighters, no one pays attention to the condition of the memorial that preserves their memory.

The memorial bears the names of 17 freedom fighters who were martyred in the liberation struggle. They are Vishwanath Eknath Bhise, Narsu Kadam and Parvatibai Ganapati Mali of Medsinga; Vishwanath Pandurang Lokare, Dattu Tatyaba Madke and Abbas Tamboli of Chilwadi; Sadhu Kisan Mang and Shankar Mauli Mase of Kajala; Sitaram Kasar, Revansiddhappa Mahadappa Sakhare, Kisan Wamanrao Chaudhari, Ramkrishna Narahari Biyaj and Shivaji Siddharam Katke of Sarola; Shrikrishna Narayan Aychit of Osmanabad; and Nagnath Krishnaji Kumbhar and Chandulal Manikchand Gandhi of Utamikayapur.

The government spends heavily on programmes connected with the liberation struggle, but city residents are questioning why the memorial to the fighters who gave their lives for freedom is not even cleaned or maintained. They are also asking whether preserving the memory of the martyrs matters more than simply paying tribute to them.

Meanwhile, the Matdar Janjagran Samiti paid tribute at the memorial. Naib Tehsildar Mahadev Shinde and corporator Nana Ghatge laid wreaths. Balbhim Kamble led a collective reading of the preamble of the Indian Constitution. However, this programme was organised on the initiative of local activists themselves. It was pointed out with displeasure that activists have had to come forward on their own for the upkeep and cleaning that is the responsibility of the concerned government machinery.

Social activist and working president of the Matdar Janjagran Samiti, Ganesh Waghmare, recalled the memorial's history. According to him, the memorial was originally located in the old Chaman Bagh, in what is now Jijamata Garden. It was then moved near the Hutatma Smarak at Sant Gadgebaba Chowk. From there it was moved again and is now installed in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Garden. Waghmare expressed regret that despite being repeatedly relocated, no permanent arrangement has yet been made for the memorial's protection and upkeep.

Activists say the stone inscription, bearing the names of 17 martyrs on one side and the preamble of the Indian Constitution on the other, is an important document of Marathwada's history. They have demanded that the memorial be placed in a secure and dignified location, the surrounding area be developed, and regular cleaning and upkeep be carried out.

Several programmes are held every year in memory of the Marathwada liberation struggle, but questions are being raised over why no concrete steps are taken to improve the condition of the very memorial that bears the martyrs' names. Activists have demanded that the administration answer whether the martyrs' memory is to be confined to a single day and a wreath, or preserved permanently.

Mohan Shinde, heir of Kajala freedom fighter Kisan Raghu Mang (Shinde), and his associates hold a tribute programme here every year. He said their demand to the government for protection of the memorial continues.