Protest by Ambedkarite Organizations Outside Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol’s Office in Pune

Pune, 10th November 2025: Several Ambedkarite organizations staged a sit-in protest outside the office of Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol in Pune, demanding the expansion of the Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Cultural Hall and the establishment of a national memorial on the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) land at Mangalwar Peth.

Earlier, on August 15, 2025, thousands of Bhim Sainiks had organized a large protest under the banner of the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Cultural Hall Expansion Action Committee to press for the same demand. Following that protest, Pune MP and Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol had taken cognizance of the agitation and held a telephonic discussion with the committee’s coordinators.

Mohol had assured the protestors that Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was positive about the proposal and that a decision would be taken soon in favour of the Ambedkarite community, making further protests unnecessary.

However, nearly three months after the assurance, there has been no visible progress on the issue. Frustrated by the inaction, several Ambedkarite organizations once again gathered outside Mohol’s office under the leadership of Shailendra More, coordinator of the expansion action committee.

During the demonstration, some protestors reportedly attempted to enter the minister’s office but were stopped and detained by the police.

Addressing the gathering, Shailendra More said,
“We had protested on August 15, 2025, demanding that a national memorial for Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar be built on the MSRDC land at Mangalwar Peth. At that time, Murlidhar Mohol had promised to resolve the matter within seven days after discussing it with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. But even after three months, the issue remains unresolved. We have come here today to demand accountability. Both you and the Chief Minister have deceived us. We will not leave until we receive a written response,” he declared.