12 Aug BHIMA KOREGAON CASE
BHIMA KOREGAON CASE
Why in the news?
- The grant of the bail to the 82 year old Telugu poet and activist, Varavara Rao, on medical grounds is being considered as a welcome step.
- Varavara Rao , is an accused in the Bhima Koregaon battle violence which took place in 2018.
About Bhima koregaon Battle:
- Bhima Koregaon Battle took place on 1st January 1818.
- Bhima Koregaon is a small village in the Pune district of Maharashtra.
- It is considered to be part of the 3rd Anglo Maratha war.
- The Battle of Bhima Koregaon was fought between the Peshwa faction of the Maratha Confederacy and the British East India Company.
Controversy regarding it:
Bhima Koregaon is considered to be the battle between the Upper caste and the Mahars who belonged to the backward caste. Let us analyse the scenario of that time:
BRITISH EAST INDIA COMPANY |
MARATHAS |
It was led by Captain Francis F Staunton | Peshwa Baji Rao II led the Army |
Company had around 800 soldiers | Marathas had a strong force of around 28000 |
The army majorly constituted the people of Mahar caste, who were dalits and untouchables. | Here the army majorly constituted the upper caste people |
They were victorious inspite of the smaller number | They were defeated even after a greater number. |
The significance of the Bhima Koregaon battle:
- Dalits believed that this was a victory of the Mahar community against the caste injustices perpetrated by the Peshwas.
- In Koregaon, the British East India company installed an obelisk or Victory Pillar to commemorate those who fought for them.
- On 1st Jan 1927 , BR Ambedkar visited the site of Bhima Koregaon victory pillar.
- Every year thousands of his followers visits the victory pillar to commemorate his visit.
Conclusion:
- Caste consciousness is healthy for society only as long as it is a medium of binding it to your culture and coherent religious roots.
- It should not become a medium to divide people by using such caste centric events even centuries after its actual occurrence.
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