DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR BHAWAN - Know the Truthtpit.org/pdf/TPIT-Brochure-english.pdf · Introduction and brief history The demolition of ground floor structure of a proposed school

DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR BHAWAN - Know the Truth

By-Trustees-TPIT

ProposedDr.BabasahebAmbedkarBhavan

IntroductionandbriefhistoryThedemolitionofgroundfloorstructureofaproposedschoolwhich,eventuallycametobeknownasAmbedkarBhavanhascreatedawidedivideamongstthefollowersofDr.BabasahebAmbedkar.The followers of Dr. Ambedkar have been divided over several issues like regional, social andpolitical. But for the first time the divide has arisen to claim true heirship to Dr. Ambedkar, onegroup claiming to be ideological heirs toDr. Ambedkarwhile the other bases its claims based onbloodrelation.Thisdividehaspolarisedthecommunityintwocamps,oneclaimingthatideologyisfarsuperiortobloodrelationwhiletheothercampfeelsthatbloodrelationisofutmostimportanceirrespectiveoftheideologicalsimilaritiesordissimilarities.Historyhasevidencedsuchstrainearlierwhen the followers of ProphetMohammad Paigambar, after his death, were split in two similarcamps, one claiming ideological allegiance to the Prophet while the other through blood. Thiseventuallydividedthewholecommunity intwocamps,nowknownasShiasandSunnis.However,unlike in the case of followers of the Prophet,what lies at the heart of the divide that has beencreated amongst followers of Dr. Ambedkar are the rumours about the demolition of so calledAmbedkarBhavan.Inthemidstofcontroversythathaseruptedafterthisdemolition,whathasbeencast aside are the reasons and visionwithwhich Dr. Ambedkar decided to purchase the land onwhich the so-called Ambedkar Bhavan stood. Dr. Ambedkar purchased this land with a vision toestablishacentralheadquarter fordalitmovement,aheadquarter thatwouldactasacentre forsolving critical and pertinent problems of dalits like relief from tyranny and social oppression,protectionofcivil rights,advancementofeducationamongdalitsandmanymore.Atatimewhensparks are flying high in the air between the two camps, threatening to permanently divide thewhole community is two halves, what is needed is to understand the purpose and vision of Dr.BabasahebAmbedkarforpurchasingthislandandobjectivelyevaluatetheactionsandintentionsofthepeoplebehindthedemolitiontowardsfulfilmentofthisvisionofDr.Ambedkar.

WhatwasDr.Ambedkar'sVisionforpurchasingthisProperty?Dr.BabasahebAmbedkarwasoneofthegreatestvisionaryofalltimes.Likenormalpeople,hetoohaddreams,butunlikenormalpeoplewho forget theirdreams,Dr.Ambedkar chasedhisdreamswithfullmightandforce.OnesuchdreamofDr.Ambedkarwastohaveaplaceforthepeopleofhiscommunity, a place that they can call their own, and a placewhere people from his communitycould have access to any time any day without any hesitation or restriction. In his address to agatheringinPaltanon15thFebruary1941,Dr.Ambedkartalksabouthisdreamtohavesuchaplaceforthedalitcommunity,whenhesaid,"justlikesomerichmerchantbuildsabuildingforthebenefitof his children and family, likewise, this building which I propose to construct would be for thebenefitofmycommunity.EvenafterIamgone,mycommunitywillcontinuetogetbenefitfromthisbuilding." Dr. Ambedkar was man of his words, and so he immediately started working towardsachievingthisdream.TrustedpeopleofDr.AmbedkarlikeMr.GanpatMahadevJadhav,Mr.GovindParmar, and Mr. Shantaram Upsham etc started visiting various chawls in Mumbai and startedcollecting donations for this project. In his first publicmeeting tomobilize funds for this project,whichwasheldon19thMarch1938inoneofthechawlslocatedinTadwadiareaofMazgaon,theresidents of this chawl donated Rs. 101 for this cause.Mr. Upsham volunteered to shoulder theresponsibilityoftreasurerforthisprojectandprinted1,000receiptbookswiththehelpofdonationgivenbyresidentsofTadwadi.Thesereceiptbooksweretohelpraisemorefundsfortheproject.Incities,severalchawlcommitteesandinruralareasseveralruralcommitteeswereestablishedtohelpraise donations for this project. It was decided to raise Rs. 2 per man and Rs. 1 per woman as

donationfortheproject.Dr.Ambedkarhimselfaddressedseveralgatheringstomotivatepeopletodonateforthisproject.OnesuchgatheringwasaddressedbyDr.Ambedkaron1stNovember1940at present locationwhere so called Ambedkar Bhavan is located. In this gathering, Dr. Ambedkartalkedabouthisvisionofconstructingagrand3storybuildingonthissite,whichwouldserveastheCommand Centre for themovement. One half of the first floor of the proposed building was tohouseBharatBhushanPrintingPressandthebalancehalfwastohousemunicipalunionandotheroffices. Guest rooms were proposed on second floor for letting purpose, which would generatefundstomaintainthebuildingandprovidefinancialsupporttothemovement.Thethirdfloorwasdesignedasagrandpublic auditorium.Dr.Ambedkarhadplanned togenerateRs.4,000per yearfrom this building, and post expenses, generate a surplus of Rs. 2,500 per year. Though Dr.Ambedkar had identified land in 1940 and entered into an agreement to purchase the land inNovemberof1940,due toshortageof fundshecouldnotcomplete thepurchaseof the landandhad topayan interestofRs.2,200peryear.Dr.Ambedkar furtheremphasized the importanceofthis building through his address in his periodical by name Janta dated 25th December 1940, inwhichhestatedthevisionhehadforthisbuildingandappealedtopeopletodonategenerouslyforthis cause. Due to untiring efforts of Dr. Ambedkar and his colleagues, a fund of Rupees 45,095Annas6andPaise9wereraisedfordevelopingthecommandcentreDr.Ambedkarhadenvisioned.Withthehelpofthisfund,thelandidentifiedbyDr.Ambedkarin1940admeasuring2,332Sq.YardwaspurchasedfromMr.AmbalalPoonamchandforapriceofRs.36,535on30thOctober1944.Dr.Ambedkar, Mr. Bhaurao, Krushnarao Gaikwad, Mr. Daulat Gunaji Jadhav, Mr. Ganpat MahadevJadhav,Mr.GovindParmarandMr.PandurangRajbhojonbehalfoftheTrustsignedthisSaleDeed.InapublicgatheringaddressedbyDr.Ambedkaron14thJuly1952atDamodarHall,Mumbai,Dr.Ambedkar informedthegatheringthatasumofRupees1,11,228 Annas4andPaise3havebeencollectedfrompublicfortheprojectoutofwhichRupees31,709Annas4wascontributedbydalitswhileRupees75,500werecontributedbypeoplefromhigherclass.Fromthistotalfundscollected,asumofRupees35,535hadbeenspent forpurchasingthe land,Rupees35,000hadbeenspent forconstructing temporary structure housing the printing press and balance amount of has beendeposited in The Imperial Bank. (BAWS, Vol 18, Part III, Pg. 310-311). In another public gatheringaddressbyDr.Ambedkaron20th July1952,Dr.Ambedkar said, "Ihave informedyouabouthowmuchmoneyhasbeencollected for constructionofbuildingproject,howmuchhavebeen spent,where has it been spent and howmuch amount is balance and where is this amount kept. Thepurposeofinformingyouaboutthisistoinformyouaboutthefactssothatnotevenmysonshouldbeabletostakeaclaimonthisinfuture".TakingintoconsiderationsuchdetailedaccountgivenbyDr.Ambedkaritself,itisclearthatthelandandthestructurehousingthepresentdaypressbelongto the trust itself and nomember of Dr. Ambedkar's family can even stake a claim to it. Furtherclarifyingthisposition,Dr.Ambedkar,inhistestimonyinSmallCausesCourtSuitNo.1095/4920of1954statedthattheprintingpresspaysarentofRs.50permonthtotheTrust foroccupyingthestructure erected by Trust on the said property. It is very clear from the testimony given by Dr.AmbedkarthattheplaceandstructurewhichhousestheBuddhabhushanprintingpresstodayhasbeenpurchasedandconstructedbypublicmoney.HemadeitveryclearinhislettertoYashwantraoon23Feb.1956andcopytoshantaramUpashamguruji.(Vol-21,GovtofMaharashtra)

Fromavailabledocuments,itbecomesclearthatDr.Ambedkarhadadreamtoconstructabuilding,whichcouldbeownedbypeopleofhiscommunitysince1925.In1931,whenDr.AmbedkarwasinEnglandtoattendtheSecondRoundTableConference,heissuedanappealtotheKingsandhighly

placedinstitutions.Inthisappeal,Dr.AmbedkartalksaboutformationofDepressedClassesInstitutein 1925 and upraised people about the work being done by this institute for upliftment of thedepressedclasses.HeinformedpeoplethattheinstituteisoperatingaperiodicalbythenameJanta.However, the press, which is used to print Janta, is small and hence cannot be used for anycommercial activity and is incapable of generating any funds. To keep the mission going, it wasnecessarytohaveaself-ownedmediumscaleoffice,forwhichafundof40,000Poundswasneeded.Dr.AmbedkarappealedtotheKingsandInstitutionstodonateforthiscause.Inthisappeal,issuedoutin1931,Dr.Ambedkarisseengivingtheaccountsforafundof1,335Pounds,thatwasraisedinpreviousyear(1930)(BAWS,Vol17,PartII,Pg.407-412).ItcanbeseenthatthoughDr.AmbedkarregisteredTheScheduleCaste ImprovementTrust in1944,hehadbeendoinggroundworkforthesamesince1925.Further,Dr.AmbedkarwasappointedasmemberofViceroy'sCouncilon2ndJuly1942andinAprilof1944,inhisappealtothePrincessandPeopleofIndia,Dr.Ambedkarinformedpeople that a total fund of Rs. 3,25,000/- would be needed to establish a Social Centre for thebenefitofDepressedCommunity.TheSocialCentreenvisionedbyDr.Ambedkarwasnotlimitedtoafewofficesandagrandhall.InhisappealofApril1944,Dr.Ambedkarclearlyenumeratesthethreeessentials, the pillars for success of the movement. And these three pillars were (1) a CentralHeadquarter(2)awell-trainedbodyofdevotedworkers,and(3)financialstability.TheSocialCentreenvisionedbyDr.Ambedkarwas toserveasaCentralHeadquarter for themovementandwas toserve following purposes: (a) house offices of various institutions linked to the movement, (b) atemporarylodgingplaceforvolunteers,(c)ahalltoaccommodateabout2,500people,(d)alibraryandareadingroomwithall facilities, (e)publishinghouse, (f)headofficeofSamataSainikDal, (g)facilitiesforpromotingsocialandculturalmeansofeducation(BAWS,Vol17,PartII,Page447-454).ThedreamofDr.Ambedkartohavesuchanall-encompassingsocialcentreisyettobefulfilledevenafter60yearsofhisdemise.ThePeoplesImprovementTrusthasnowtakenuponitselfthetasktofulfillthisdreamofDr.Ambedkar.

WhythedreamofDr.Ambedkarwasnotrealizedtilldate?ThedreamofhavingasocialcentreforthedepressedclasseswasverycloseDr.Ambedkar'sheart.He worked very hard towards achieving this dream. He established a Trust to take care of it,addressed several public gatherings and appealed to various dignitaries on various occasions todonategenerouslyforthiscause.However,despitealltheseefforts,thedreamremainedadream,whichwasneverrealizedduringthelifetimeofDr.Ambedkar.

1.InJulyof1942,Dr.AmbedkarwasappointedasLaborMemberofViceroy'sCouncil.ThisrequiredDr. Ambedkar to shift his residence from Mumbai to Delhi. Further in 1946, Dr. Ambedkar wasappointed as the Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee and later as the first LawMinisterof independent India.Thus, from1942to1952,Dr.Ambedkarwasstationed inDelhiandhisvisits toMumbaiwerevery infrequentandhadrarelybeentotheplaceofpresent“AmbedkarBhavan”at Gokuldas Pasta Lane, Dadar,Mumbai between this period of time. As testified by Dr.Ambedkarhimselfduringcross-examinationinthematterofSmallCausesCourtSuitNo.1095/4920,Dr.Ambedkarvisitedtheplaceonly3-4times.From1944to1948,Mr.GanpatJadhavalsoknownasMadkeBualookedaftertheProperty.Afterhisdemisein1948,Mr.YashwantAmbedkar,sonofDr.Ambedkar, looked after the property. Dr. Ambedkar returned toMumbai fromDelhi in 1952 andafterhis return,he re-started thework forbuildingSocialCentreon this site.With thehelpofanarchitect, Dr. Ambedkar prepared a plan for constructing three-story building by demolishing the

existing temporary structure housing the printing press. However, Dr. Ambedkar could notmakeprogressinconstructingthebuildingsinceMr.Yashwantraohad,in1949,givenaportionofthelandonleasetothreerefugeescamefromPakistanafterpartition.Itwasnecessarytogetvacatedthetenantsbeforestartingconstructionandtothisend,Dr.Ambedkarhadtorequestthesetenanttovacate the property. However, the tenants refused to vacate the premises because of which Dr.AmbedkarhadtofileasuitinSmallCausesCourtinMumbai.Thematterwasdecidedin1955andtheCourtruledinfavorofthetrustandorderedthetenantstovacatethepremises.However,theCourtgrantedthemaperiodofthreeyearsforvacatingthepremises.Aggrievedbythisorder,Dr.BabasahebAmbedkarappealedtohighercourtagainst theordergivingthreeyearstothetenantsfor vacating the premises. However the court verdict on the appeal was not pronounced in thelifetimeofDr.Ambedkar. Becauseof theseunfortunate events,Dr.Ambedkar's dreamnever sawthe light of the day during his lifetime. In continuation of ongoing litigation, the three originaltenantsbought20newsub-tenantsandthesesub-tenantsalso filedcases in theCourt.TheCourtdecided in trust favorbyFebruary1962.However, thesesub-tenantschallenged thesame inHighCourt.Eventually,allthesematterscametobesettledby2001andtheownershipofpropertywasruledinfavorofthetrustwithoutanyencumbrance.

2.Dr.Ambedkar,duringhislife,hadgotaplanapprovedfromapprovingauthoritiesforconstructionofthree-storybuilding.However,duetotheongoinglitigation,theworkonconstructiontheSocialCentreneverreallystarted. Inthemeantime,MumbaiMunicipalCorporation, in1967,publishedanewdevelopmentplanforthecity, inwhichthepropertywasreservedforSecondarySchool.Thisrequired the then chairman of the TrustMr. D.G Jadhav to change the original plan, which wassubmittedtoBMCforapprovalin1973-74.ThisplanwasnotapprovedbyBMC.However,workwasstartedonsitein1974.Butduetolackoffunds,Trustwasnotabletocompletetheworks.TheplansubmittedbyTrustfinallygotapprovedin1982inwhichthegroundfloorofthebuildingwasshownasparking forschoolbusesandupper floors forschoolandauditorium.Tocompleteworksasperthisapprovedplan,trustapproachedTheStateBankof Indiafor loan.SBIsanctioneda loanofRs.6,00,000/- for the complete construction.Outof the total sanctionedamount,Rs. 2,50,000/-werereleasedbytheBanktotheTrust.Withthehelpofthisfund,constructiononsitewasre-startedandaround1985,thegroundfloorparkingareaofthestructurewascompleted.However,intheinterimperiod, the Trust could not pay its instalments, because of which the Bank refused to disbursefurthersumsofmoneyandtheconstructionworkonsitecametoagrindinghaltagain.Since thebuildingnevergotcompleted, facilities likepower,waterconnection,anddrainageconnection forsanitationetc.nevergotcommissionedforthisstructure.EventuallytheTrustmanagedtoprovidesomemakeshiftarrangement for this facility.Dueto theseconstraints, thestructureneverhostedanybig scale eventor a function. In fact, as against envisionedbyDr.Ambedkar, this incompletestructureneverhostedanyeventofsignificanthistoricalvalue.

EffortsmadebytheTrustforconstructionoftheSocialCentreItwasnotuntil2001thatallthelitigationpertainingtopropertywasover.Theconstruction,whichwas started in 1974, was left incomplete because of lack of funds. Due to rains and corrosiveweather conditions, the strength of the structure deteriorated much rapidly. The temporarystructure housing printing press, which was constructed around 1945-46, also was in a seriouslydilapidated state. Taking this into consideration, theTrustdecided todemolishexisting structuresandconstructanewoneinitsplace,onethatwilldojusticetothevisionDr.Ambedkarhadforthe

place.ButtheTrustrealizedthatbeforeanyworkcanbestarted,thependingloanamountextendedbyStateBankofIndia,hadtobeclearedfirst.TheloanofRs.2,50,000/-extendedbyStateBankofIndia had translated into a total loan of Rs. 12,00,000/- after factoring in compounded interest.OriginalpaperspertainingtothePropertyweremortgagedwithStateBankofIndiaasthesecurity.Besidesthis,atotalofRs.1,20,000/-wasdueandpendingasPropertyTaxandtheGovernmenthadsentseveralnoticestotheTrustthreateningtoauctionthelandifthedueswerenotcleared.Takingcognizance of this, the then chairman of Trust, Mr. R.G Kharat and Secretary Prof. V.S AswaredecidedtoengageMr.SunilShah,ownerofVarshaCaterersandenteredanagreementwithhim.Asper this agreement, Varsha Caterers would be required to upfront money to clear all dues andliabilitiesoftheTrustandinreturnofthis,Mr.SunilShahcouldusethestructureoftheTrust,afterrepairing, forproviding catering services to theeventsorganizedat the structure for 3 years. TheTrustenteredintonegotiationwiththeStateBankofIndiaandsettledallitsdues,includingthatofoutstanding property taxes.With all these issues cleared, Trust startedmaking an effort towardsraising further funds so as to complete the construction of the building. However, soon after allthese problems were over, Mr. Prakash Ambedkar filed complaint against Trustees formisappropriation of funds, cheating and fraud andmade several complaints to this effect to theStateGovernment.ThePoliceDepartmenthelddetailedenquiries inthismatterandreportedthatnotruthwasfoundinanyoftheallegationslevelledbyMr.PrakashAmbedkaragainstthetrustees.TheentireinvestigationleadtosevereharassmentandmentaltorturetoalltheTrusteesandprovedtobesetbackfortheeffortsmadebytrusteestorealizethedreamofDr.Ambedkar.Risingfromthiscrisis,theTrusteesagainstartedmakinganeffortforraisingfundsandfindingwaysandmeansforrealizingthedreamofDr.Ambedkar.Inonesucheffort,trusteesalsotoyedwithanideaofengaginga private developer for undertaking construction of the building. However, this effort too failed.Eventually, in 2011, Trust succeeded in securing a funding of Rs. 10 crore from Government ofMaharashtraforconstructionofthebuilding.GRwasissuedtothiseffectin2011itself.ThisfinancialassistancefromtheStateGovernmentisyettobereceived.

ChangesinNameoftheTrustanditsRulesFrom amongst many trustees of the Trust, Mr. G.M. Jadhav, Mr. Dadasaheb Gaikwad, Mr. G.TParmar, Mr. Shantaram Upasham, Mr. P.N. Rajbhoj, Mr. B.H.Varhade, Mr. P.L Lokhande, Mr.DadasahebShirke,Mr.S.S.Dikhale,Mr.R.G.Kharat,Mr.YadavraoGangurdewerepersonallyknownandworkedwithDr.Ambedkar.Postthedemiseofthesetrustees,newmemberswereappointedastrustees.This includesMr.G.KMane,Dr.P.TBorale,Mr.MoreshwarTambe,Mr. J.D Jadhav,Prof.V.S. Asware,Mr. A.SUpasham,Dr. S.S.Dhaktode andAdv. ShrikantGaware. Mr. VilasWagh,Mr.Vasant Dhaware and Mr. Shankarao Gaikwad were appointed as trustees after the demise oftrusteesMr.Mr. G.KMane, Dr. P.T Borale,Mr.Moreshwar Tambe andMr. J.D Jadhav. Also, thetrustees, in 2004, unanimously passed a resolution to change the name of the Trust from "TheBombay Schedule Caste Improvement Trust" to "The Peoples Improvement Trust" to assume alargerrolefortheTrustinthesociety.Likewise,someoftherulesoftheTrusttoowereamendedtoaddressthechangingscenario.Onesuchchange inruleswasthechange inretirementagefortheTrusty,whichwasrevisedtomaximum75years.Ifthetrusteeisingoodhealthandcontributing,asaspecialconcession, itwasprovidedtogranta furtherextensionof5yearstothetrustybutonlywiththeapprovalofremainingtrustees.ThisrulemadeitpossibleforMr.VasantDhawareandMr.A.S.Upashamtobegivenanextensiontoremainastrusteestilltheyturned80years.Dr.DhaktodeandMr. VilasWagh retired at the age of 75.Mr. ShankaraoGaikwad resigned from the Trust. In

2012,aseriouscriminalcomplaintwasfiledagainstProf.V.SAsware.Takingthisintoconsideration,Mr. Prakash Ambedkar of BHARIP, Mr Anandraj Ambedkar of Republican Sena, and RepublicanVidyarthi Sena staged fierce agitation for removal of Prof. V.SAsware fromTrust Boardonmoralground. Heeding to such agitation, the Trustees passed resolution on 1.1.2013 to discharge Prof.V.S.Asware from chairmanship of Trust. On 14.07.2014, prof. Asware turned 75 and accordinglyappliedtotrustforanextensionof5years.However,thetrusteesdecidedagainstthisandProf.V.SAswareretiredattheageof75yearsfromtheTrustandappointednewmembersonTrustBoardand the same along with necessary paperwork had been communicated to Hon.CharityCommissionerandchangereportfiled.

AttacksontrusteesandattemptstotakethemOff-CourseHistorywouldbearevidencethatallthetrusteesoftheTrust,atallpointsoftime,havewithallthededication, worked hard towards achieving the dream of Social Centre seen by Dr. Ambedkar.However, this road has been fraught with a lot of pain and anguish all the while. On one hand,Trusteeshad to take timeoutof their jobs, socialworkandotherdaily choresandworkhard forrealizingthedreamofDr.Ambedkarandonotherhandtheyhadtofightwithself-centeredforceswho raisebaselessallegationagainst the trusteesandcausegreatmental trauma to the trustees,trying to put them off-course from achieving their target. Despite these challenges, the TrusteeshavemanagedtostaysteadfastontheircourseandhavemadesignificantprogresstoachievethevisionofDr.Ambedkar.Eventhemosttrustedpeople likeMr.ShantaramUpasham,whowasalsooneofthemosttrustedpersonknowtoDr.Ambedkar,werenotsparedfromsuchallegationsanddefamation. From the very first day Dr. Ambedkarmade an appeal for raising funds for buildingSocialCentre,Mr.UpashamvolunteeredtobethetreasurerandkepttrackofallthefinancialsoftheTrust.Mr.Upashamworkedselflesslywithout takingany remuneration forhis serviceprovided totheTrusttillheretiredfromhisjobin1955.Heworkedtirelesslyforthecausetillhisdemiseintheyear1975.In1967,Mr.UpashampublisheddetailedaccountsofTruststartingfrom1938until1965,enumeratinglistofallthedonorswhohaddonatemorethanRs.25totheTrustwiththeirnameandaddress. Despite presenting detailed accounts of Trust, Mr. Upasham had to face troublingallegations like having siphoned offmoney from the Trust for construction of his own house andsendinghissonabroadforeducationetc.TrustyDr.P.TBoraleweresubjectedtophysicalharmandhumiliationwhenhewasstripedhalfnakedandbeatenupbyself-centeredpeoplewhohaveatalltimes,tofulfiltheiragenda,haveraisedobstacleinthepathsofthetrustees.In2006,AdvocateMr.PrakashAmbedkarhimselflodgedabaselesscomplaintagainstthetrusteeswithpolice,whichweredismissedasbaselessanddefamatoryafterdetailedinvestigationundertakenbythePolice.Despitedismissingtheircomplaintsasbaseless,Mr.RajendraPawararelativeofAmbedkarfamilyon29thJanuary2014filedacomplaintagainstTrusteeswiththeCharityCommissioner,whichtooeventuallywasdismissedbyCharityCommissionerasbaselessandwithoutanytruth.Despitetheirclaimsbeingdismissed as baseless at the highest level, this have not deterred these self-centered forces fromcreating distractions and obstacles for the trustees. These forces even today pursue their vestedinterests and raise allegations against the trustees. In the year 2006, Dhammadiksha SuvarnaMahotsav Samiti was appointed to help conversion of several families from "Bhatkya/Vimukta" (VJNT-DTNT)communitytoBuddhism.TheSamitihadplannedforagrandeventatMahalaxmiRaceCourseinMumbaitomarktheevent.Onrequestoforganizersofthisevent,Mr.LaxmanManewhowas leading the "Bhatkya/Vimukta" community andMr. Baban kamble, editor of Dainik Samratnewspaper,thetrusteesdecidedtomakeavailabletotheDhammadikshaSuvarnaMahotsavSamiti

an office space in Ambedkar Bhavan on temporary basis. This lead to furious reactions fromMr.AnandrajAmbedkar.ThefactthatdespitethepresenceofBhartiyaBaudhaMahasabhaledbyMrs.MirataiAmbedkar,howotherpeopleworkingforBuddhaDhammabetoleratedwasapreposterousideaforMr.AnandrajAmbedkartodigest.Drivenbyrage,Mr.AnandrajAmbedkarwenttosuchanextentofusingabusivelanguageagainsttrustees.Mr.AnantUpasham,Mr.VasantraoDhawareandProf. V.S.Aswarewere threatened to physically harm them for their actions. The threatswere soseriousthatacomplainthadtobelodgedinBhoiwadapolicestationon7.10.2006.Similarlyon5thDecember 2010, one of the trusty Advocate Shrikant Gaware was beaten by Mr. Pratik DhanrajKambleandMr.PrasenjeetDhanrajKamble,bothmembersofBHARIP,party leadbyMr.PrakashAmbedkar.ThesetwopersonsalsothreatenedanothertrustyDr.S.S.Dhaktode.Besides,thesetwopersonsalsocauseddamagetothepropertyoftheTrust.Trusteesfiledapolicecomplaintagainstthis act of violence in Bhoiwada Police Station on 10th December 2010. This threatening gotaggressive with time and on 26th December 2015, Mr. Rakesh Gaikwad, driver of Mr. AnandrajAmbedkarmadeanattempttokilltheadvisoroftheTrustMr.RatnakarGaikwadandhisdaughterMs.ShivanjaliGaikwadbytryingtorunthemoverwithToyotaQualisvehicle.Apolicecomplaintwaslodged in Bhoiwada Police Station on 26thDecember 2015 against this attempt. Undeterred, theattempt tostop the trusteescontinuedwithattackonchairmanofTrustMr.YogeshVarhadeandtrusteeMr. Nagsen Sonare andMr.Uttamrao Bodwade on 19th April 2016 atWorli by 3 scooterridingattackers.ThistoowasreportedtolocalpolicestationandFIRwaslodgedatN.MJoshiPoliceStationon20thApril2016.Thetrusteeshadtofaceagreatdealofhardshipstartingfromallegationstoattemptonlife,justfortryingtofulfilthevisionofDr.Ambedkar.Despiteallthesehardshipsandthreats,thetrusteeshadmanagedtostaysteadfastontheircoursetorealizethedreamseenbyDr.Ambedkarmorethan75yearsback.

RoadtorealizationofDr.Ambedkar'sDreamMany of the old trustees, who because of their age were unable to take the baton to fulfil Dr.Ambedkar'sdreamwithfullforceandpassion,retiredwithtimeandmadewayforinductionofnewyoungtrustees,whowithoutanyfanfarededicatedthemselvestothecause.Ithadbeenmorethan75yearssinceDr.AmbedkarsawthedreamofbuildingaSocialCentreintheformofathree-storybuilding.Inthetimethatwentby,theworldatlargestartedacknowledgingtheeffortsandworksofDr. Ambedkar and his reverence grew beyond the Indian shores. Dr. Ambedkar came to beacknowledged not just as a dalit leader and chief architect of the Indian Constitution but as anepitomeofstruggleagainstinjusticeglobally,asourceofinspirationforfightagainstoppression.Hecame to be acknowledged as one of the greatestman ever lived. His thoughts andworks attractmanymorepeople fromacross theworld to India.The trustees in theTrustenvisionedbuildingagrand building to be known as Ambedkar Bhavan as a befitting tribute to such a greatman. Thetrustees planned to construct a Social Centre,whichwould serve as the headquarter to lead themovementstartedbyDr.Ambedkar.TheSocialCentreisdesignedtoinspirepeople.Itisdesignedinsuch a way that despite its grandeur, even an illiterate person, without asking anyone for help,wouldbeabletowitnesstheworksofDr.Ambedkarandhisachievements.However,asalways,thetrusteeshadtofaceaseriesofhurdlesbeforethisdreamcouldbefulfilled.OnesuchhurdlewasthereservationofSecondarySchool inthedevelopmentplanbyMCGMMumbaiforthecity.Withtheschoolreservation,itwasimpossibletoconstructanythingotherthanSchoolonthissite.Thisposedaseriouschallengefortrustees.Inordertochangethereservation,trusteesstartedcorrespondencewithMCGM.However, soon itwas realized that itwas in the jurisdictionof StateGovernment to

amendtheDevelopmentPlan(DPplan)oftheCityandbegantheuphilltaskoffollow-upwithStateGovernmentforchangingthisreservation.Thetrusteestookalltheallegations,defamation,threatscausedtothembypeopleinfestedwithvestedinterestintheirstrideandcontinuedtopursueBMCandStateGovernmentOfficials.Changeof reservationwasanear to impossible task.The trusteesdecidedtochangethereservationfromSecondarySchooltoPublicHallandInstitutionswhichwouldpermit themtoconstructabuildingthatwouldservethepurposeDr.Ambedkarenvisionedfor it.However, even changing the reservation was no easy task, with the Government needing no-objections and clearances from several departments within Government. To achieve this task, agoodworkingknowledgeoftheGovernmentMachinerywasneeded,inordertopursuethepaperswith various departments of Government and in Mantralaya. Assessing this need, the trusteesapproached Ex. Chief Secretary of the Government of Maharashtra Mr. Ratnakar Gaikwad forassistance.Heedingtotherequestoftrustees,Mr.RatnakarGaikwadagreedtoactasanAdvisortotheTrust forrealizingthedreamofDr.Ambedkar.Keepingasideprotocols,Mr.RatnakarGaikwadpersonallymet s several officials from the lowest level of bureaucracy to the top-most level andexplainedtheneedtochangethenatureofreservationandthemeritssupportingthischange.Theseefforts finallybore fruitsand theGovernmentofMaharashtra finallyagreed to the requestof thetrustandchangedtheDPreservationfromSecondarySchooltoPublicHallandInstitutionalUse.TheGovernmentofMaharashtra issuedanotificationtothiseffecton3rdDecember2015.Thiswasamajor breakthrough in a long time for the Trust towards achieving the dream of Dr. BabasahebAmbedkar. Immediately after this change of reservation was brought into force through thenotification, the trusteesapproachedBMCwith thegrandplanofconstructing17storyAmbedkarBhavan.BMC,afterthoroughdue-diligenceontheirpartandaftersatisfyingitselfaboutfulfilmentofallnecessarycompliances,approvedtheplans forconstructionofAmbedkarBhavanon13thApril2016.FororthefirsttimeafterMahaparinirwanofDr.BabasahebAmbedkar,itwaspossibletotrulyconstructabuilding thatwould fulfil thedreamofDr.AmbedkarofhavingaSocialCentre for theOppressed Community, a building that can act as a Central Headquarter for the movement, abuildingwhich canhouseoffices of various institutions associatedwith themovement, a buildingwhichcouldinspirepeopleandgiveanewleaseoflifeforthemovement.Chargedwiththeenergy,the trustees focused their attention now on execution of plan. For this, it was imperative todemolish the old structure housing the printing press,whichwas constructed in 1945-46 and thetemporary incomplete structure of school, which was started in around 1985 and was leftincomplete.ThetrusteeshadallowedMr.PrakashAmbedkartousepartofthetemporarystructureasheadofficeofhispoliticalpartyBHARIP.Likewise,apartofstructurewasallowedtobeusedbyMr.AnandrajAmbedkar forofficeofhispoliticalpartyRepublicanSenaandapartof itwasbeingused by Mr. Bhimrao Ambedkar for printing press. The trustees tried to engage all Ambedkarbrothersbybriefingthemabouttheplanoftrusteestodemolishexistingstructureandconstructagrand17 storybuilding in itsplace, inwhichprovisionhasbeenmade foraccommodating all ofthembyprovidingthemthespacewhichwasmuchmorethanpresentlyundertheiroccupation.

SequenceofEventsLeadingtoDemolitionofAmbedkarBhavanCharged with energy and enthusiasm after succeeding with change of reservation, the trusteesapproached BMC for approval of plans of grand 17 story Ambedkar Bhavan. BMC, after checkingnecessary compliances, approved the plans on 13th April 2016. As a precondition to obtaincommencement certificate for startingactual constructionwork, itwasnecessary todemolish theexistingstructurestandingonsite.SincetheexistingstructurehadvariousofficesoccupiedbyMr.

PrakashAmbedkar,Mr. BhimraoAmbedkar andMr. Anandraj Ambedkar, the trustees, despite allthe continuous pain and anguish caused to them by these brothers, started engaging them in adialogue, to inspire andmotivate them to participate in this endeavor of the Trust to realize thedreamofDr.Ambedkar.With this intention, the trusteesapproachedMr.PrakashAmbedkar,Mr.BhimraoAmbedkarandMr.AnandrajAmbedkar.However,noneofthemagreedtocomeforthforadialogue. After a lot of persuasion, Mr. Bhimrao Ambedkar and Mr. Anandraj Ambedkar finallyagreedtolistentothetrustees.Mr.BhimraoandMr.AnandrajpersuadedMr.PrakashAmbedkartohear-outtheproposalofthetrusteesandaccordinglyapowerpointpresentationwasarrangedforbriefingofMr.PrakashAmbedkaralongwithMr.BhimraoandMr.AnandrajAmbedkaron5thApril2016.However,noneof themarrived for thismeeting.After a lotofperusal from the trustees, ameetingwasarrangedwithMr.BhimraoAmbedkaron12thMay2016.Mr.BhimraoAmbedkarwasappraised about the plan of the trust to construct a grand 17 story tall Ambedkar Bhavan bydemolition of the existing structure and constructing a new building thereon. Mr. BhimraoAmbedkarshowedsatisfactionontheplanspreparedbytheTrustandplacedthreeconditions forco-operation. The conditionswere (a)membersofAmbedkar family shouldbeprovided space innewly constructed building equivalent to area presently under their occupation, (b) The premisesunderBuddhaBhushanPrintingPress isthefamilypropertyofDr.AmbedkarandhenceshouldbehandedovertotheAmbedkarfamily.Thedocumentspertainingtotheownershipofthispropertyshallbeproducedwithinaperiodof10daysfromthemeetingand(c)Mr.BhimraoAmbedkarandMr. Prakash Ambedkar should be inducted as trustees in the Trust. The trustees agreedunconditionallytothefirstdemand.Asfortheseconddemand,thetrusteesagreedtotransfertheownershipofpropertyunderBuddhaBhushanPrintingPressprovidedproofofsuchownershipareproduced.Andasforthethirddemand,thetrusteesrefusedtobreakarulemadebyDr.Ambedkarhimselfandwhichall the trustees tilldate, the ruleofkeeping familyoutof this trustasanybodyhavinginterestinthepropertyisnoteligibletobecomeatrustyaspertheprovisionsinthebyelaws.Thustrusteesrefusedtobreakthisruleandrefusedtoaccepttheirthirddemand.Thestandofthetrustees was communicated to all of them through the letter dated 16th May 2016. The lettercorrespondencefailedtogenerateanyresponsefromeitherMr.Prakash,Mr.Anandrajor

Mr. BhimraoAmbedkar. Theyhad alreadybeen informed through registeredpost dated4thApril2016abouttheintentionoftrusteestodemolishexistingstructuretoundertakeconstructionofnewthebuildingandtoshifttheirbelongingsfromthestructureattheearliest.Asanefforttoreachoutto common public and to make them aware about their plans, the trustees issued notices innewspaperMarathidailyLoksattaon4thMay2016.However,allthiswhileneitherofMr.Prakash,AnandrajorBhimraoAmbedkarvoicedtheirconcernorresistanceinanymannertotheplansofthetrust.Asacomplianceofconditionsofapprovedplan,theTrustmadearequesttoBMCtocheckthestructuralstabilityofexistingstructure.Afterdulyundertakingvarioustests,itwascertifiedbytwoindependentstructuralauditorsthattheexistingstructureisnotsafeandbeyondrepairandshouldbedemolishedimmediately.AccordinglyMCGMissuedanoticeundersection354ofBMCActon1stJune 2016 to the Trust for immediate demolition of the structure.Notice of demolitionwas thuspastedonnoticeablelocationofthestructure,onpremisesoccupiedbyMr.PrakashAmbedkar,Mr.AnandrajAmbedkar,Mr.BhimraoAmbedkarandofficeofBhartiyaBaudhaMahasabha.Toensuresmooth demolition, police protection was requested from Bhoiwada police station and a writtenapplicationforthesamewasmadeon21stJune2016.Informationaboutthedemolitionandintendplansof theTrust toconstructa17storytallAmbedkarBhavanwasprintedfor threeconsecutive

daysinlocaldailieslikeDainikVruttaratnaSamrat,JantechaMahaNayakandDainikLoknayakwhichare readwidelyby followersofDr.BabasahebAmbedkar.Whileall thiswasbeingdone, inpubliceye,neitherofMr.PrakashAmbedkar,Mr.AnandrajAmbedkar,Mr.BhimraoAmbedkarvoicedanyconcernorstagedanyresistancefortheplansofTrust,despitebeingfullyawareaboutit.Theydidnotevencare to respond to thedemolitionnoticeposted to thembyspeedpostandcourierandpastedontheiroffices.Consideringthis,itbecomesquiteevidentthattheTrustmadeallattempttocommunicate the plans of rebuilding Ambedkar Bhavan in place of the present incomplete anddilapidatedstructure.(Seedocumentsandcorrespondenceonwww.tpit.org)

AboveisthedetailedandfactualnarrationofallthefactsandeventsleadinguptothedemolitionofthesocalledAmbedkarBhavan,whichwasactuallyparkingplaceofaproposedtobeconstructedschoolwhichwasbuiltaround1984-85.However,totakepoliticaladvantageofthissituation,somepeoplewithvestedinterest,arespreadingallkindsofliesandfalseinformationamongstmassestoemotionally charge them and to use them for their vested political advantage. Some of the falsepropagandabeingspreadbypeoplewithvestedinterestsare;

(1) PropagandaNo.1:AmbedkarBhavanisaheritagestructure:

Toqualifyanddeclareanyobject,placeoranyarea,artformoranysuchthingassociatedwithanygreat person, Central Government have made certain Acts like (a) The Ancient Monuments andArchaeologicalSitesandRemainsAct,1958andrulesmadethereunderdated1959,(b)AntiquitiesandArtTreasuresAct,1972and(c)TheAncientMonumentsandArchaeologicalSitesandRemains(AmendmentandValidation)Act,2010. Inaddition to thesecentralacts, somestateshavepassedactsatState level toprotectmonumentsandplaceswhich to suit the specificneedsof the state.However, inMaharashtra, theCentralActsnarratedaboveare in forceandnoStateLevelActhasbeenpassed in addition to these Central Acts. As per this Central Act, any object, piece of art orplace, which is linked to any event of historical significance or is linked to any person of greatsignificance, such object, place, building or art can be declared as holding Heritage value. Suchdeclaration can be made upon recommendation of Central or State level Archaeological SurveyDepartment or Heritage Conservation Department through a notification. Depending on theimportance,suchobject,building,orplacebeingdeclaredofheritagevalue iscategorized inthreecategories,GradeI,GradeIIandGradeIIIcategory.Government,fromtimetotime,issuesrulesanddirectivesforupkeep,maintenance,restorationandreconstructionoftheseheritagestructures.Anyrequest/applicationreceivedfromownerofheritagestructuretoalteranythingwiththestructureisfirstscrutinizedbyHeritageConservationCommittee.Onlyaftersuchalteration/reconstructionisapproved by Heritage Conservation Committee can the owner carry out such alteration /reconstruction. Unless any object, place or any area, art form is declared as a heritage structurethrough a Government Notification, no object, place or area or art form can be considered asholdingheritagevalue.As for thepresent structureknownasAmbedkarBhavan is concerned,Dr.Ambedkar himself visited this place only about 3/4 times between 1942 and 1952 since he wasstationedinDelhiduringthisperiod.Dr.Ambedkarhastestifiedthesameduringcross-examinationinSmallCausessuitno.1095/4920of1954.TheplaceplayednoroleofhistoricalsignificanceduringthelifetermofDr.Ambedkar.KnowingwellthatneithertheplacenortheBuddhaBhushanPrintingPress has ever been declared as heritage structure, despite this, the people who claim that theprintingpresshassignificanthistoricalvaluehaveneveropenedthesepressforthepublic.Noteven

ondayslike6thDecemberonwhichlakhsofpeoplegatherinDadartopayhomagetotheirbelovedand respected leader. No information was ever shared with public about the state in which theprintingpresswaspreserved.Ifthesepeoplehadgenuinelyfeltthattheprintingpresshasheritagevalue, then one obvious question that comes to anybody’s mind is why these people neverapproachedGovernmentfordeclarationofprintingpresstheheritage.Thepeoplewhospreadfalsepropaganda about the printing press want to play with emotions of people who regard Dr.AmbedkarasthesoleemancipatorandreverehimlikeGod.Thepanchanamacarriedoutbypolicepost demolition clearly mentions that no damage has been caused to the printing press duringdemolition.However,despitethisfactualposition,liesisbeingspreadamongstpeoplethatattemptsweremade to break the press using sledgehammers. Self-centered people for their own vestedpoliticalinterestarespreadingsuchkindoffalsepropaganda.

(2) PropagandaNo.2:DemolitionofAmbedkarBhavanisanActtoputanEndtoAmbedkariteMovement

It’s a fact that several events connected with Ambedkarite movement have been arranged inAmbedkar Bhavan. However, all these events came to be held at structure presently known asAmbedkarBhavanonlyafter1985.Thisisimportanttonotesinceperpetratorsoffalsepropagandaclaimthatthisstructurewastheepicenterofthemovement.DuringthelifetimeofDr.Ambedkar,no significantactivitywasundertakenat the site.After theMahaparinirvanofDr.Ambedkaruntil1985,nothingwasbuiltonthesiteafterwhichanincompletestructurewaserectedbytrustin1985.So labelling present structure, as epicenter of Ambedkarite movement is nothing but grossexaggeration of facts. Ambedkarite movement is spread out far and wide and is alive in variouspolitical, social, cultural, religious fields. It is absolutelywrong to claim that present structure hasbeen a center point for Ambedkaritemovement,which has assumed such awider canvas and somanydimensions.Exceptforpeopleperpetratingsuchfalsepropaganda,noothergroupswereeverallowed to use the premises. Somuch so that even the eventwhichmarked conversion ofmany"Bhatkya/Vimukata" tribes to Buddhism, an event which had such great significance for theAmbedkarite movement, failed to get support from these perpetrators. Mr. Baban Kamble, theeditor of daily Samrat andMr. LaxmanManewhowas leading the group of “Bhatkya/Vimukata",bothwhowereorganisingthisconversion,requestedthetrusttotemporarilyprovideofficespacetoco-ordinate andorganise the event.When the Trust acceded to this request by allowing them tooccupyofficeontemporarybasis,Mr.AnandrajAmbedkarstagedafuriousprotestquestioningthetrustees of how can they support any religious group other than the one led by Mrs. MirataiAmbedkar.HeeventhreatenedtoattackChairmanMr.AnantUpsham,Mr.VasantraoDhavre,andMr.V.SAsware.Awrittenpolicecomplaintwas lodged inBhoiwadapolicestationon7thOctober2006.Takingthisintoconsideration,itisclear,thatthepresentstructurewasnotusedforanyothereventsotherthanthoselinkedtopoliticalpartieslinkedtoMr.PrakashandMr.Anandraj.Thatbeingthe case, it would be absolutely false to state that the present structure was the epicenter ofAmbedkaritemovement.

(3) WasitappropriatetodemolishAmbedkarBhavaninthesecrecyofnight?

After receivingnotice fordemolitionof this structure fromBMC,whichwas issuedbyBMCundersection 354 of BMC Act, the trustees pasted the demolition notice on noticeable location of the

structure,onpremisesoccupiedbyMr.PrakashAmbedkar,Mr.AnandrajAmbedkar,Mr.BhimraoAmbedkar and office of Bhartiya Baudha Mahasabha. To ensure smooth demolition, policeprotectionwasrequestedfromBhoiwadapolicestationandawrittenapplicationforthesamewasmade on 21st June 2016. Information about the demolition and intend plans of the Trust toconstructa17storeytalliconicAmbedkarBhavanwasprintedforthreeconsecutivedaysindailieslike Vruttaratna Samrat, Juntecha Maha Nayak and Dainik Loknayak which are read widely byfollowersofDr.Babasaheb Ambedkar.Whileall thiswasbeingdone, inpubliceye,neitherofMr.Prakash Ambedkar, Mr. Anandraj Ambedkar and Mr. Bhimrao Ambedkar voiced any concern orstaged any resistance for the plans of Trust, despite being fully aware about it. Considering thelocation of site, located in Dadar, one of the busiest locations of Mumbai and taking intoconsideration the traffic jams that may ensue post demolition, it was decided to demolish thestructureatnightinordertoavoidanyinconveniencetoanyone,andthereisnoanyillegalityinthis.

Forpeoplewhowanttohidefactsandmakeuseofthesituationfortheirownpoliticalandpersonalmotives,itbecomesnecessarytoignitethefeelingsofmassessothattheagitationsocausedcanbeusedtotheiradvantage.Toachievethis,peoplewithvestedinterestresorttospreadingrumorsandinvolveisperpetuatingfalsepropaganda.IntheageofWhatSappandFacebook,itbecomeseasytocirculateauthentic lookingmaterial, irrespectiveof its factualcorrectness. Innocentpeoplestayinginremotevillagesandhinterlandtakesthismaterialatfacevalueandfallpreytosuchrumorsandpropagandabeingperpetuatedbysuchpeople.Therumorsspreadbythisgroupgotheextentthatpeoplehavebeeninformedthatthedemolishedstructure,socalledAmbedkarBhavan,wasactuallytheplaceof residenceofDr.Ambedkar atHinduColonyRajgriha and that this placeof residenceitself has been demolished by the trustees with government support. Baseless and frivolousallegationslikethetrusteeswhohavedemolishedthestructureareactuallypuppetsofGovernmentand RSS and that they have received crores of rupees have been levelled against the trustees.Rumors like Dr. Ambedkar purchased this property with his own funds and not through publicmoneyandthat thisproperty isnowbeinggivenouttoprivatedeveloper forconstructionofmallarebeingcirculatedbythesepeople.Emotionsarethelastresortforpeoplewhohavefallenoutoffavorofmeritsandthesamecanbeseen in thecaseofMr.PrakashAmbedkarandMr.AnandrajAmbedkar about their dealing with demolition of present structure. The most disturbing aspectabouttheentireepisodethathasunfoldedafterthisdemolitionisnotwhatthefutureholdsforthestructure,but the fact thathowblatantly andwith such impunityMr.PrakashAmbedkarandMr.AnandrajAmbedkarlieinthefacetothepublic,thefactthattheyrepresenttheveryfleshandbloodofouremancipatorDr.Ambedkar,apersonofsuchintegrityandmorality,apersonwhocouldnoteveninhisdreamsthinkoflyinganddeceivinghispeople,apersonwhohadanunshakablefaithinthe Constitution. It is disturbing to know that for their own petty interest, how Mr. PrakashAmbedkarandMr.AnandrajAmbedkarcanresorttoblatant lyingandmakeuseofDr.Ambedkar.Despiteall this,weas trusteesof theTrusthaveonlyone thing to say. TheTrust and theSocietyrespectsyousinceyourepresentthefleshandbloodofouremancipator,theonlypersonwhowerevereasGod.Butpleasedonotholdhisname,asaransomtodemandthingsthatareillegitimate.Thisisouronlyrequest!!

ByTRUSTEES-ThePeopleImprovementTrust

YogeshVarhade-Chairman

Adv.ShrikantGaware-Secretary

Dr.AbhayBambole-Trusty

DRRRShinde-Trusty-Treasurer

NagsenSonare-Trusty

UttamraoBodwade-Trusty

MMKamble-Trusty

KDKamble-Trusty

VijayRanpise-Trusty

[email protected]–MMKamble,Trusty–9930312494

NKSonare,Trusty–9969220269,UttamraoBodwade-982132887

TranslatedbySanketBorkar