Indian Army asked to submit its stand on British era ‘Jaystambh’ by Koregaon Bhima Commission

The state government formed a two-member commission, headed by retired high court Justice J N Patel, to probe the violence in Koregaon Bhima on January 1, 2018, in which one person died and several others were injured.

Commission’s secretary V V Palnitkar said, “A letter of request was issued to the authorities and a lawyer of the Indian Army. The commission wants to know the Army’s stand on the Jaystambh, which is a British Era war memorial. The Commission has also sought details of the ceremonies, functions conducted by the Indian Army at the Jaystambh.”

Palnitkar said an officer of the rank of Colonel and a lawyer representing the Army appeared before the commission on Monday and sought time to file a say. “The commission has asked them to file the say by March 15,” said Palnitkar.

Meanwhile, Palnitkar also confirmed that the commission has extended time for submission of final arguments by lawyers representing various parties till March 15.

‘Jaystambh’ erected in 1821

As per historical records submitted before the commission, the ‘Jaystambh’ was erected by the British government in 1821 in memory of its soldiers who fought the battle of Koregaon Bhima.

The British had appointed their soldier Kandojibin Gajoji Jamadar (Malvadkar), who was injured in the battle, as in-charge of the Jaystambh on December 13, 1824.

According to the Jamadar family belonging to the Maratha community, both British and Peshwa forces comprised soldiers of different castes. And thus, they say the battle of Koregaon Bhima cannot be linked to any particular caste or religion, and that it was not a war against casteism.

But a section of Dalits, mainly Ambedkarites, believe the British Army comprising 500 soldiers from the Mahar community defeated a 28,000–strong force of Peshwas, who were Brahmins, in this battle.

Lakhs of Ambedkarites visit the Jaystambh 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 Peshwas.

Insignia of Mahar regiment

For the last few years on January 1, the government has been decorating the ‘Jaystambh’ with the insignia of the Mahar regiment of the Indian Army.

Advocate Rohan Jamadar, a descendant of British soldier Kandojibin Gajoji Jamadar said, “In the 1818 battle, the British Army comprised the First Bombay Native Infantry, Madras Artillery and Poona Auxiliary Horse. The Mahar regiment did not exist in 1818. It was raised in 1941. Initially, the Jaystambh was part of the insignia of the Mahar regiment, but it was removed later on. Now, the Mahar regiment insignia has a pair of crossed Vickers medium machine guns, and a dagger.”

Dispute over plaque installed by the Army on Jaystambh

A plaque, titled ‘Roll of Honour’, was placed on the Jaystambh a few years ago by the Indian Army, bearing the names of martyrs (including Param Vir Chakra recipients) who fought in the 1965 and 1971 wars (against Pakistan).

A controversy about the plaque is mentioned in a letter attached with the affidavit filed before the commission by IPS officer Rashmi Shukla, who was Commissioner of Pune police at the time of Koregaon Bhima violence and is now Maharashtra’s Director General of Police.

This letter given to the SID Commissioner by Sanjaykumar Baviskar, the then DCP (special branch), Pune City police, mentions the warning given to the then Devendra Fadnavis-led state government by the All Indian Backward (SC, ST and OBC) and Minority Communities Employees Federation (BAMCEF) over the plaque on the Jaystambh.

As stated in Baviskar’s letter, the government was given an “ultimatum” and BAMCEF warned of unrest on January 1, 2018, if the plaque was not removed by December 31, 2017, claiming that names of “Brahmin, baniya and other caste soldiers” from 1965 and 1971 wars on the Jaystambh was an “insult” and an “attempt to erase history (of the Battle of Koregaon Bhima)”.

There have also been protests by various groups demanding removal of the plaque.