Ambedkar ashes give pilgrimage status to village

While Ramchandra Maruti and Luma Lakhu are no more, Yashwant and Ganpat narrate their ‘‘struggle’’ for the mortal remains of their beloved leader. Ambedkar, they say had visited Ankalkhop in 1939 and enlightened the Dalit community here, asking them to learn and unite.

‘‘We rushed to Bombay by train as soon as we received news of Doctor Saheb’s death and decided to bring his ashes to our village and built a memorial, but it was not an easy task. His mortal remains were cordoned off by tight security,’’ recalls 82-year-old Yashwant, adding that they urged Dalit leaders present to hand them at least a handful of ashes. But their demand was rejected as Ambedkar followers from all over the country were demanding the same.

‘‘We lingered all night after the cremation. But all night people kept pouring in and due to tight security we could not get close to the ashes,’’ informs Ganpat. ‘‘Finally, we joined a queue for darshan of the ashes and pushed Yashwant forward.

He managed to grab the urn containing the ashes and we escaped,’’ he adds. ‘‘A huge welcome was given to us after we returned,’’ they recall.

Today, Ambedkar’s followers plan to develop the place as pavitra bhoomi on the lines of the Chaityabhoomi in Mumbai where Ambedkar was cremated.