The Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case began after caste violence broke out during a Dalit gathering in 2018 near Pune. It later turned into allegations of a Maoist conspiracy, leading to the arrest of several activists.
Last week, the Bombay High Court granted bail to prominent rights activists Rona Wilson and Sudhir Dhawale in the 2018 Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case. The two were arrested on the accusations of being ‘urban naxals’ and linked to the banned CPI(Maoist) organisation. Of the 16 accused–including Wilson, Dhawale, Surendra Gadling, Shoma Sen, Mahesh Raut, and activists like Arun Ferreira, Gautam Navlakha, Varavara Rao, and lawyer Sudha Bharadwaj–Father Stan Swamy died in custody while many others are out on bail.
As of 2025, no charges have been framed against the accused, and the trial is yet to begin with over 300 witnesses to testify in the case. Read more
By The Dalit Voice / @ambedkariteIND (Jan 2):
More than 2 million people visit Bhima Koregaon on Shaurya Diwas.
Jan 1, 2025
207th anniversary of Battle of Koregaon Bhima: We will kick those who oppose Dr Ambedkar, rhymes Ramdas Athavle
01/01/2025
The Indian Express / by Chandan Haygunde
Lakhs visit Jaystambh in Pune, no untoward incident reported, say police
Over six lakh people, mainly followers of Dr B R Ambedkar from different parts of the country, visited the ‘Jaystambh’ at Perne village in Pune district to mark the 207th anniversary of the Battle of Koregaon Bhima on Wednesday. Read more
About 10 lakh people tribute peacefully at Koregaon Bhima victory pillar
01/01/2025
Times of India / by Sandip Dighe
About 10 lakh people on Wednesday paid tributes at the Koregaon Bhima Jaystambh (victory pillar) at Perne village, about 30km from the city on the highway to Ahmednagar road.
People from all walks of life went there to commemorate the 207th anniversary of the battle of Koregaon Bhima fought between the East India Company and the Peshwa of the Maratha empire on January 1, 1818. Read more
In Maharashtra, Fadnavis’s Foray to Capture Bhima-Koregaon
01/01/2025
The Wire / by Anand Teltumbde
The scale and nature of Maharashtra government’s involvement in the forthcoming celebration at Bhima-Koregaon raises questions, especially in light of the historical significance of the event as a symbol of anti-caste resistance.
The upcoming congregation on January 1, 2025 at Bhima-Koregaon is being actively sponsored by the state government under the leadership of the returning Maharashtra chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis. After reclaiming the chief ministerial position following a six-year hiatus, this initiative marks one of his first major undertakings, thereby carrying immense political significance. Read more
Graphic by Arun Ferreira & Vernon Gonsalves
People gather in large numbers at Bhima Koregaon village to mark 207th anniversary of battle
01/01/2025
The News Mill / by ani
A large number of people on Wednesday gathered at Koregaon Bhima village in Maharashtra’s Pune to mark the 207th anniversary of the Bhima-Koregaon Battle at the Vijay Stambha memorial erected in honour of the soldiers who fought in the battle. Read more
Political leaders pay tribute at the Bhima Koregaon Memorial
01/01/2025
The Mooknayak / by Pratikshit Singh
Every year on 1st January, lakhs of people assemble at Jay Stambh, the memorial dedicated to the martyrs of the historic Bhima Koregaon Battle.
Prakash Ambedkar, the president of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi and grandson of Dr. Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar visited Jay Stambha, the Bhima Koregaon memorial and paid tributes to the martyrs of the historic battle. Read more
Security Heightened As Uneasiness Looms Over Bhima-Koregaon Anniversary
30/12/2024
Free Press Journal / by Ashish Singh
For the Dalit community, the battle represents a significant moment of pride, as they view the victory as symbolic of their resistance against the upper-caste oppression of the Maratha Peshwa regime.
In light of a recent incident in Parbhani district, the 207th anniversary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon (1818), scheduled for January 1, 2025, is being watched by security agencies. The agencies are on high alert due to concerns about the law and order situation. Read more
Lakhs of Dalits converge at Jaystambh (victory pillar) at Perne phata in Koregaon Bhima village on Jan 1 to commemorate the victory of Dalit Mahars over the Peshwa army on January 1, 1818
The Pune police will be keeping a close watch on anti-social elements and those who spread misinformation including inflammatory messages on social media ahead of the Bhima Koregaon celebrations scheduled to take place on January 1, 2025 said Pune police commissioner Amitesh Kumar during a meeting with Dalit organisations in the run-up to the celebrations on Friday. Read more
Koregaon Bhima battle anniversary planning: HC allows Maharashtra govt to enter ‘Jay Stambh’ plot
14/12/2024
Deccan Chronicle / by pti
The Bombay High Court has permitted the Maharashtra government to enter the ‘Jay Stambh’ land in Pune for a fortnight to make arrangements for the January 1, 2025 programme marking the 207th anniversary of the historic Koregaon Bhima battle. The land, situated at Perne village in Pune, is embroiled in an ownership dispute and a court order has directed for the status quo to be maintained.
Pursuant to this, the state government each year has to seek permission from the court. Read more
Massive Turnout Expected for Bhima Koregaon Ceremony at Perne Phata on January 1, 2025
14/12/2024
The Free Press Journal / by FPJ Web Desk
In preparation for the Vijaystambh Ansamhura ceremony at Perne Phata on January 1, 2025, District Collector Dr. Suhas Diwase has directed relevant departments to plan thoroughly and provide necessary facilities for the expected influx of followers.
This year, a massive turnout is expected, with political parties and activists fueling the attendance ahead of the upcoming elections. Read more
Why Maharashtra govt needs court nod to enter ‘Jaystambh’ land for Koregaon Bhima battle anniversary preparations
13/12/2024
The Indian Express / by Chandan Haygunde
The Bombay HC has allowed the Maharashtra government to enter the Jaystambh land from Dec 22, 2024 to Jan 5, 2025 to make arrangements for the 207th anniversary of the Battle of Koregaon Bhima.
The Bombay High Court has permitted the Maharashtra government to enter the “disputed land” around the Jaystambh located at Perne village in Pune to make arrangements for the January 1 programme marking the 207th anniversary of the Battle of Koregaon Bhima. Read more
Koregaon-Bhima Violence: Inquiry Points to Possible Third-Party Involvement
02/12/2024
The Bridge Chronicle / by Salil Urunkar
These elements, according to Adv. Hiray, may be anti-democratic and opposed to the established system. He provided evidence supporting this claim to the commission.
The Koregaon-Bhima violence that erupted on January 1, 2018, is more complex than initially perceived, according to Special Public Prosecutor Adv. Shishir Hiray.
In his final argument before the Koregaon-Bhima Inquiry Commission, Adv. Hiray argued that while outsiders and locals are highlighted as key groups in the incident, there is a possibility of a third element influencing the violence. Read more
‘Police took appropriate action following Koregaon Bhima violence’
27/11/2024
Hindustan Times / by Nadeem Inamdar
Special public prosecutor Shishir Hiray in final arguments before Bhima Koregaon commission hearing said Pune rural police took appropriate legal action after the communal riots at Bhima Koregaon on January 1, 2018.
Special public prosecutor Advocate Shishir Hiray while making the final arguments before the Bhima Koregaon commission hearing on Tuesday said that in the aftermath of the communal riots which took place in Bhima Koregaon on January 1, 2018, the Pune rural police took appropriate legal action as per the procedure.
… The hearing of this case will continue till Friday, November 29. Read more
Koregaon-Bhima Riot Investigation: Special Prosecutor to Submit Detailed Report
26/11/2024
The Bridge Chronicle / by Salil Urunkar
Special public prosecutor’s final argument is anticipated to delve into several contentious aspects, including whether similar crimes occurred elsewhere following the Koregaon-Bhima event.
The special public prosecutor is scheduled to submit a comprehensive 500-page final written argument before the Koregaon-Bhima Inquiry Commission on November 26.
This marks a critical phase in the inquiry into the violent riots that occurred in Koregaon-Bhima in January 2018. Read more
Writer and Senior Journalist Ajaz Ashraf discusses the perspectives in his recently published book “Bhima Koregaon Challenging Caste“ in the context of the history of the Elgar Parishad, the relevance of Bhima Koregaon as a symbol of struggle and the upper caste backlash that has manifested in this background. Ashraf also discussed the Deep State factor in Indian polity. Watch The AIDEM interactions with Venkitesh Ramakrishnan here.
The Commission has asked lawyers representing different parties and witnesses to submit their final arguments.
While making oral submission of his final argument before the Koregaon Bhima Commission of Inquiry, advocate Shishir Hiray, who represents the state, claimed the violence in Koregaon Bhima area on January 1, 2018 was a matter of a “larger conspiracy.” Hiray also justified the actions taken by the police department in handling the January 1 violence situation. Read more
Leaving aside the somewhat extended Maoist plot, a narrative challenge in the book, Ashraf’s contribution lies in his excavation of caste contestations of modern Maharashtra
In the opening pages of Bhima Koregaon, Ajaz Ashraf sounds a word of caution when he tells the reader that the book lacks a beginning. Not just beginnings but tracing thematic connections is difficult since diverse events are yoked together across a wide swathe of historical time ranging from Shivaji’s coronation in 1674 till now. Read more
Bhima Koregaon: Challenging Caste. Brahminism’s wrath against dreamers of equality
Author: Ajaz Ashraf
Publisher: AuthorsUpFront
Publishing Date: June 2024
Pages: 496
Challenging Caste reads the violence at Bhima Koregaon as a clash between two worldviews – one striving to flatten the social hierarchy, the other justifying and perpetuating it. This book rips apart the Maoist conspiracy theory and the Urban Naxal narrative. Read more/order
Also watch/read:
▪ Video | Many Meanings of Bhima Koregaon: Ajaz Ashraf
Communal elements trying to wipe out Koregaon Bhima’s history of sacrifice, says Sharad Pawar
01/10/2024
The New Indian Express / by pti
Pawar also claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a threat to society and the thought in the latter’s mind was ‘detrimental to equality’.
NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has said the history of Bhima Koregaon, located in Maharashtra’s Pune district, is of sacrifices made by people but some communal elements are trying to wipe it out. Read more
Pawar says PM’s leadership detrimental to equality
30/09/2024
Times of India / by Anurag Bende
NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Monday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership detrimental to equality.
Pawar said, “People realised that Modi and his party do not believe in the Constitution. Hence, they did not give him a full mandate in the Lok Sabha election.” He was addressing his supporters at a public rally in Pune on Monday. Read more
Bhima Koregaon: Challenging Caste. Brahminism’s wrath against dreamers of equality
Author: Ajaz Ashraf
Publisher: AuthorsUpFront
Publishing Date: June 2024
Pages: 496
Challenging Caste reads the violence at Bhima Koregaon as a clash between two worldviews – one striving to flatten the social hierarchy, the other justifying and perpetuating it. This book rips apart the Maoist conspiracy theory and the Urban Naxal narrative. Read more/order
