Massive Protest in Pimpri-Chinchwad Against Alleged Insult of Maharashtra Assembly Deputy Speaker Annasaheb Bansode

Pimpri-Chinchwad, 12th August, 2025: Hundreds of Ambedkarite activists and leaders from across Maharashtra took to the streets of Pimpri-Chinchwad in a massive protest march condemning the alleged insult of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Annasaheb Bansode by the Municipal Commissioner. The rally saw strong participation from Ambedkarite organisations, social activists, and citizens inspired by the ideals of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

The protest began at the statue of Rajmata Ahilyabai Holkar and concluded with a rally and meeting at the statue of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Speakers at the protest meeting, which was presided over by senior Ambedkarite leader Balasaheb Bhagwat, demanded legal action against the Commissioner within seven days. They warned that failure to act would result in an intensified “Lock the Municipal Corporation” agitation.

Prominent participants included Republican Movement leader Suresh Nikalje, Republican Yuva Morcha’s Rahul Dambale, labour leader Dr. Baba Kamble, Dalit Panther’s Deepak Kedari, former Panvel Deputy Mayor Jagdish Gaikwad, Santosh Nisargandh, Dharampal Tantrapale, Kunal Vawalkar, Ajizbhai Shaikh, Balasaheb Rokde, Vijay Dolas, Sandipan Zombade, Dnyaneshwar Kamble, Ganga Dhende, Supriya Kate, Sikandar Suryavanshi, and Anjana Gaikwad, among others.

On behalf of the Bansode family, Siddharth Bansode addressed the gathering, thanking the community for its support. “We will never forget the love and solidarity shown by the Ambedkarite community for Anna. We remain committed to serving the people,” he said emotionally.

Sanjay Avasarmal, President of the NCP Backward Class Cell in Pimpri-Chinchwad, has submitted a formal complaint to the Deputy Commissioner of Police seeking action against Commissioner Shekhar Singh under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Senior police officials, including DCP Attole, Police Commissioner Hire, Senior Police Inspector Dhumal, and Mr. Kadlak, accepted the delegation’s memorandum.

A Protest Combining Emotion and Legal Action
Organisers described the march as both an emotional and legal fight by Ambedkarite activists, aiming to send a strong message of unity against injustice and insult. This mobilisation, they said, was a step forward in the fight for social justice in Pimpri-Chinchwad, firmly rooted in Ambedkarite ideology and principles.