Pune Court Allows Jamadar Family Permanent Possession of Jaystambh Land

11:12 PM ETDeveloping

World Desk

In Short: A court in Pune has granted the Jamadar-Malvadkar family permanent possession of Jaystambh and adjoining land, a decision that has implications for a long-standing dispute.

A court in Pune has allowed the Jamadar-Malvadkar family permanent possession of Jaystambh and adjoining land, a decision that has been in the making for several years. According to reports, the British government had granted the family a 'sanad' in 1824, which provided them with possession of the land until they had male successors.

In September 2015, a private organization, the Bhima Koregaon Vijay Stambh Saurakshan and Savardhan Samiti, wrote to the State Minister of Social Justice, alleging that the family's name was 'illegally' included in the 7/12 extract of land adjoining the Jaystambh. The Samiti demanded the removal of the family's name and the clearing of any alleged 'encroachment' on the land.

The Jamadar family, who belong to the Maratha community, argued that after learning the minister's directive, they filed a civil suit in April 2017 against the State of Maharashtra, BARTI, and the Samiti, seeking an order of permanent injunction to prevent eviction from Jaystambh and adjoining land. The court dismissed the suit of Captain Balasaheb Jamadar-Malvadkar but allowed the suits of two others.

Captain Balasaheb Jamadar-Malvadkar, a retired Indian Army officer, produced the original copy of the 'sanad' and other documents before the court. The decision is significant as it affects the rights of the Jamadar family and the ongoing dispute with the Samiti, which claims that the land is needed for the increasing number of Ambedkarite visitors who visit the Jaystambh every year on January 1.

What's still developing

According to the Jamadar (Malvadkar) family, the minister’s remarks for action on the Samiti’s letter were later forwarded to the government-run Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Research and Training Institute (BARTI) and Pune district collector.
Advocates Hemant Bhopatkar and Rohan Jamadar-Malvadkar, who too is a successor of Kandojibin Gajoji Jamadar, argued on behalf of the petitioners (Jamadars).
Lakhs of Ambedkarites across Maharashtra and other parts of the country visit the Jaystambh every year on January 1, calling it “Shaurya Din” (victory day) to pay tribute to soldiers who, they believe, fought a war for freedom against the alleged casteism of the Peshwas.
As per historical records, the Jaystambh, is a military monument erected by the British government in 1822 in memory of its soldiers who fought against the Peshwas in the Battle of Koregaon Bhima on January 1, 1818.
The British had appointed their soldier Kandojibin Gajoji Jamadar – who was wounded in the Battle of Koregaon Bhima – as the Jaystambh’s in-charge on December 13, 1824.
The Samiti pointed out that lakhs of followers of Dr B R Ambedkar, who visit Jaystambh every year on January 1, face problems due to the lack of space at the venue.

Sources

The Indian Expresslink