Mumbai, Jun 26 (TNN): Activists protested against the demolition of the 72-year-old Ambedkar Bhavan in Dadar outside Bhoiwada police station on Saturday after which the cops registered two FIRs.
The one-storeyed building located on Gokuldas Pasta Lane in Dadar east housed the printing press started by Dr B R Ambedkar and offices of political parties. The printing press was started in 1944 and the offices were constructed in 1975. It was also the centre of the anti-caste movement. The demolition by the People's Improvement Trust began at 2am on Saturday and was completed by 5am, said sources. The demolition, which took place at an odd hour raised the suspicion of many of Ambedkar's followers, said sources. A huge crowd gathered outside the police station, demanding action against the trust's officials. "They (the trust) are not the authorized trustees of the building. How could they raze the building that holds so much emotional value for us. In the demolition we also lost the printing press and some rare books of Babasaheb," said Anand Raj Ambedkar, grandson of Ambedkar.
NM Kamble, one of the trustees, said that the building was dilapidated and the civic body had given an eviction notice. "A portion of the building had collapsed and it was a threat to people. We have got all approvals to redevelop it and work will start in the next 15 days. Since heavy machines were used for demolition, the entire exercise commenced early in the morning so that there was no inconvenience to the residents," said Kamble.
"A 17-storeyed structure with multi-level parking and other facilities will be constructed at the site at the cost of Rs 60 crore," said Kamble.
"All the books and rare memorabilia of Babasaheb are safe and a punchnama has been done. We understand that there will be opposition to the project. But the revamp is neccessary," said Kamble.
There is heavy police presence around Bhoiwada following the tension between the trust and Ambedkar's descendents. The area remained shut on Saturday as a mark of protest, said sources. There has been a long dispute between the two groups over Ambedkar Bhavan.
The police have registered offences of rioting, wrongful assembly, dacoity and trespassing against six to ten persons.