Mumbai: Mumbai witnessed an extraordinary outpouring of devotion on Saturday as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, and thousands of Ambedkar followers gathered at Chaityabhoomi in Dadar to mark Mahaparinirvan Diwas — the death anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. The site, which holds immense emotional and historical significance for Ambedkar’s followers, turned into a sea of blue flags, portraits, and floral tributes.
Governor Acharya Devvrat, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and MLA Aaditya Thackeray were among the prominent leaders who offered respects at the memorial in Shivaji Park. Every year, lakhs of people arrive from across Maharashtra and beyond, reaffirming Ambedkar’s legacy as the staunch defender of equality, justice, and the rights of the oppressed.
Anticipating the massive turnout, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) created special arrangements — including temporary sheds, water stations, mobile toilets, and medical camps — to support the influx of visitors. The area around Shivaji Park saw dense crowds, but movement remained orderly due to an extensive security setup by Mumbai Police.
Under the guidance of the Police Commissioner, the force deployed 3 Additional Commissioners, 8 DCPs, 21 ACPs, 492 officers, and nearly 4,640 constables to ensure smooth crowd management and prevent any untoward incidents.
Dr Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution and a tireless advocate for Dalit rights, passed away on December 6, 1956. His teachings continue to animate the nation’s commitment to justice and dignity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also offered tribute from Delhi, posting on X that “His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to justice, equality and constitutionalism continue to guide our national journey. He inspired generations to uphold human dignity and strengthen democratic values. May his ideals keep lighting our path as we work towards building a Viksit Bharat.”
