Pune: On Thursday, January 1, 2026, lakhs of followers gathered around the ‘Jaystambh’ in Pune, Maharashtra, to mark the 208th anniversary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon. Every year, it is customary for Ambedkarite followers from Maharashtra and across different parts of the country to visit the site. The ‘Jaystambh’ located at Perne village on the Pune-Ahilyanagar highway (earlier known as the Ahmednagar highway), was erected in 1821 during British rule in memory of the Mahar (Dalit) soldiers who fought against the Peshwas at Koregaon Bhima.The Jaystambh at Bhima Koregaon, decorated with the tricolour and images of Ambedkar.As followers of B.R. Ambedkar, from young children to the elderly, arrived to pay their respects at the memorial, queues stretched for nearly five kilometres from Wagholi Road to Bhima Koregaon. Every year on 1st January, Ambedkarite followers from across Maharashtra and different parts of the country travel to visit this site. The Jaystambh located at Perne village on the Pune, Ahilyanagar highway (earlier known as the Ahmednagar highway), was erected in 1821 during British rule in memory of the Mahar (Dalit) soldiers who fought against the Peshwas at Koregaon Bhima.Visiting from Tamil Nadu, Manikandan V.E., who was attending the Bhima Koregaon gathering for the first time, said: “I have attended many political gatherings in Tamil Nadu but this is the largest gathering of people I have ever witnessed in my life. As a Tamil student, I find this memorial comparable to the hero worship described in ancient Tamil literature.”“I saw people from all walks of life, not only Dalit communities but also a large number of other marginalised groups. I noticed so many families walking together, all gathered to pay homage to the brave soldiers who fought against the Peshwa regime in 1818,” he said.“We walked nearly five kilometres, completely surrounded by people, especially Ambedkarites, with the entire crowd dressed in blue,” the student added.Around the Jaystambh, more than 100 book stalls were set up by the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Research and Training Institute (BARTI), Pune, displaying copies of the Indian Constitution and other Dalit and Ambedkarite literature. A large young crowd had gathered to purchase books from here. Visitors buy books at the Samvidhaan Book Fair near the Jaystambh.Rohan Waghmare, who had travelled from Parbhani district in Maharashtra, said, “I have been coming here every year for the past four years to pay homage at the Jaystambh. Each time, I make sure to bring back Ambedkarite literature with me. This year, I noticed a much larger crowd buying books than before.”On January 1, 2018, on the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon, violence broke out at the Bhima Koregaon in Maharashtra, where a large number of Dalit and Ambedkarite followers had gathered to mark the occasion. Incidents of stone pelting and arson were reported in the area.Following the violence, its repercussions were felt across the whole of Maharashtra. A young child takes part in the Bhima Koregaon gathering, holding an Ambedkarite flag in the sky.A day before the incident, on December 31, 2017, the Elgar Parishad was organised at the Shaniwar Wada Fort in Pune. After the violence, the Pune police alleged that there was a link between the Elgar Parishad and the unrest in Bhima Koregaon, claiming that it was part of a conspiracy planned by Maoist, Naxalite organisations.In 2018, the Pune Police registered a case based on the alleged Maoist connections of individuals associated with the Elgar Parishad. Subsequently, several writers, academics, lawyers and other intellectuals were arrested in connection with the case.Criminal complaints were also filed against Hindutva leaders Sambhaji Bhide and Milind Ekbote. Ekbote was arrested but was released on bail within a few days. The other accused, Sambhaji Bhide, was never arrested by the police.An individual holds a banner of B.R. Ambedkar at the Bhima Koregaon ground near Jaystambh, Pune district, Maharashtra.For Ambedkarite followers, January 1 is celebrated as Shaurya Din at Bhima Koregaon, a day that honours courage and resistance. Ramesh Shinde, who was visiting from Chakan in Pune district with his family, said, “I have come here with my family. The Jaystambh at Bhima Koregaon is a symbol of the bravery of 500 Mahar soldiers. I brought my children here so they can understand this history. Babasaheb Ambedkar himself had visited this place, and standing here today with my children for the first time is an overwhelming feeling for me.”A large crowd near the Jaystambh at Bhima Koregaon, Pune district, Maharashtra.B.R. Ambedkar had visited the Jaystambh, Bhima Koregaon on January 1, 1927. The year 2027 will mark 100 years since that historic visit.All photos are by Atul Howale.