Koregaon Bhima battle anniversary: Jaystambh decoration marks 75th year of Constitution of India

Over 10,000 cops on bandobast duty, over 10 lakh turnout estimated

4 min readPuneDec 30, 2024 10:21 PM IST

Jaystambh at Perne Phata in Pune district being decorated with flowers along with the images of Dr B R Ambedkar and Constitution of India the for the program on January 1 to commemorate the battle of Koregaon Bhima. (Express Photo/Pavan Khengre)

Preparations are in full swing at the ‘Jaystambh’ in Pune for the 207th anniversary of the Battle of Koregaon Bhima to be celebrated on January 1. The Jaystambh has been decorated on the lines of the Constitution to marks 75 years of the charter of rights.

Artificial flowers around ‘Dhammachakra’ and slogans of ‘Jai Bhim’, a line “Bhartiya Samvidhancha Amrut Mahotsav”, pictures of Preamble of the Indian Constitution as well as images of Dr B R Ambedkar holding a copy of the Constitution are displayed on the Jaystambh.

The Jaystambh will also have a photograph of Dr Ambedkar’s visit to the Jaystambh and an image of the Mahar Regiment insignia. Initially, the Jaystambh was part of the insignia of the Mahar regiment, which was raised in 1941. But it was removed later on and now the Mahar regiment insignia has a pair of crossed Vickers medium machine guns, and a dagger.

Also Read | Pune rural police prepare for huge footfall during Koregaon Bhima Battle Anniversary

During a press conference on Monday, Commissioner of Pune police Amitesh Kumar said arrangements are being made, considering that at least 10 lakh visitors will turn up for the programme. Kumar visited the Jaystambh along with Pune divisional commissioner Chandrakant Pulkundwar on Monday evening.

About 750 police officers and 5045 constabulary of Pune city police, 3,080 personnel from Pune rural police, along with 2,000 home guards will be on bandobast duty around Jaystambh and other locations from December 31 till the completion of the programme on January 1. Similarly, about a thousand cops would be deployed in the areas that come under the jurisdiction of Pimpri Chinchwad police.
Besides, 20 companies of state reserve police force, 18 bomb detections and disposal squad (BBDS) teams, multiple quick response teams (QRTs), and anti-sabotage squads are being deployed for controlling the crowd.

Over 300 CCTV cameras, 50 face recognition cameras with artificial intelligence technology, drones and satellite phones are being used to keep a watch on suspicious movements. Police have also installed 50 watch towers at different locations.

Police teams are closely monitoring social media and have warned of action against circulation of objectionable posts. Police have appealed to the citizens to avoid spreading rumours. Preventive action has been taken against possible ‘mischief mongers’.

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Besides, the district administration has provided over 200 ambulances, fire brigade teams, health and sanitation facilities, and drinking water arrangements for visitors.

Police said a patch on the Pune-Ahmednagar highway from Shikrapur to Lonikand will be closed for all vehicles. Police said 45 parking lots have been prepared, from where visitors would be taken to the Jaystambh by about 650 Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited buses.

Lakhs of Ambedkarites visit the Jaystambh on January 1 every year, calling it ‘Shaurya Din (Victory Day)’ to pay tribute to the soldiers who, they believe, fought a war for freedom against the alleged casteism of the Peshwas.

In the last one week, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and minister for social justice Sanjay Shirsat visited the Jaystambh to review the preparations for the massive gathering expected on January 1.

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It may be recalled that one person died and several others were left injured during violence in the Koregaon Bhima area on January 1, 2018, when lakhs of Ambedkarites gathered to mark the 200th anniversary of the battle.

Since the violence, the Jaystambh has turned into a sensitive location with the police and the district administration making heavy security arrangements to maintain law and order during the annual gathering.

Chandan Haygunde

Chandan Haygunde is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. With over 20 years of experience in journalism, he is one of the region's most authoritative voices on crime, national security, and legal affairs. Professional Profile Specialization: He specialises covering issues related to Crime, Courts, National Security and Human Rights. He has done investigative reporting on incidents of terrorism, left wing extremism, espionage cases, wildlife crimes, narcotics racket, cyber crimes and sensational murder cases in Pune and other parts of Maharashtra. While working on the ‘Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Fellowship on Tigers, Tiger Habitats and Conservation’ in 2012, he reported extensively on the illegal activities in the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. He is at the helm of the widely read weekly series “Pune Crime Files”. He is widely recognized for his deep-dive coverage of the cases related to the Koregaon Bhima violence in Pune and the Elgaar Parishad investigation. Key Beats: His portfolio includes covering crimes mainly under the jurisdiction of Pune City, Pune rural and Pimpri Chinchwad Police, along with the sensitive cases from the state, being investigated by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Background: Before his long tenure at The Indian Express, he worked with other Marathi and English publications, giving him a unique grassroots understanding of Maharashtra's socio-political landscape. Awards and Recognition: He got the CMS PANOS Young Environment Journalist Award in January 2014 for investigative reports on illegal activities in Sahyadri Tiger Rerserve. He received the award for outstanding investigative journalism by the Lokmat group in Pune in January 2020, “Missing since 2010, Pune youth a ‘Maoist Commander’ in Chhattisgarh”, which appeared on July 9, 2019. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) In recent months, Chandan’s reporting has focused on high-profile terror case investigations, inter-state firearms racket, leopard movements in Pune city, cyber scams and hearings of the Koregaon Bhima Commission of Inquiry. 1. High-Profile crimes and terrorism cases “Techie linked to Al-Qaeda preached democracy is against Shariat” (Nov 17, 2025). Reporting on the ongoing investigation into the arrest of IT professional Zubair Hangargekar (37) from Pune for alleged terror links. “The case against Jyoti Jagtap, member of ‘Maoist front’ Kabir Kala Manch and Elgaar Parishad organiser, granted interim bail by apex court” (Nov 20, 2025) Tracking the updates in the high profile Elgaar Parishad case related to the alleged naxal activities in urban areas. “How NIA arrested doctor turned ‘ISIS recruiter’ in Maharashtra terror module case” (Nov 24, 2025) After the arrest of doctors in Delhi Red Fort blast, a report on alleged terror links of a consulting anaesthetist from a Pune hospital. “A year after loco pilot averts tragedy by spotting gas cylinder on railway track, probe still inconclusive” (Dec 8, 2025). Report on the unsolved case of a suspected sabotage incident, which could have derailed a train. “No records of Sambhaji Maharaj’s cremation available: Author, ex-IAS officer Vishwas Patil tells Koregaon Bhima panel” (Dec 1, 2025) Reporting on a sensitive issue related to the Koregaon Bhima violence. 2. Inter-state firearms racket "Pune police swoop down on ‘village of pistols’ in Madhya Pradesh; 36 detained, 50 kilns destroyed" (Nov 22, 2025) "Recce a week before, microplanning: how Pune police raided ‘village of pistols’ in MP" (Nov 24, 2025) Reporting on the illegal gun manufacturing units in Umarti village, Madhya Pradesh 3. Cybercrime & Financial Scams “Pimpri Chinchwad police arrest ‘bank account supplier’ with links to China, nationwide cyber scams" (Nov 27, 2025) An investigative look at the modus opernadi of international cyber-gangs cheating high-earning professionals across the country ‘Your case linked to Pahalgam terrorist’: Pune businessman loses Rs 1.44 crore to fraudster posing as NIA chief" (Oct 18, 2025) Report on the tricks played on cyber scammers cheating people through digital arrest frauds Signature Style: The Investigative Hit Chandan is known for his ability to cultivate deep-cover sources within the police and intelligence agencies. His writing often goes beyond the "police version" of events, providing historical context and identifying systemic lapses. He is particularly respected for his balanced reporting on sensitive communal issues and his persistent tracking of the Maoist urban-link cases, making his columns essential reading for legal experts and policymakers. X (Twitter): @chandan_pune ... Read More

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