Maha halts Deekshabhoomi revamp after protests rage

Nagpur: The Maharashtra govt on Monday swiftly froze ongoing development works at Deekshabhoomi, hours after Ambedkarite organizations held mammoth protests outside the iconic Buddhist stupa, considered the largest in Asia.
While announcing an immediate stay in the project, deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said, the ₹200cr Deekshabhoomi beautification and development plan was prepared in consultation with Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Smarak Samiti, which monitored the works.“Samiti members finalised its blueprint and the govt provided funds. The protests are specifically against the underground parking, which protesters claim poses a threat to the adjacent stupa,” he said.
Leader of opposition Vijay Wadettiwar warned the Mahayuti government of a law-and-order crisis if the works were not halted.