Bhima Koregaon

Recently, the United Nations of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has urged the Indian government to release the activists who are in prison for the 2018 Bhima Koregaon case, “at the very least on bail”.

Background

• The Bhima Koregaon case dates back to January 1, 2018, which marked the 200th anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle.
• The event was organised to celebrate the British army’s victory, which included a large number of Mahars, against Peshwa Baji Rao II’s army.
• Several human rights activists, including Sudha Bharadwaj, Varavara Rao and Gautam Navlakha, were arrested during the investigation.

About Bhima-Koregaon

• It is a small village in Pune district of Maharashtra, Bhima-Koregaon, associated with an important phase of Maratha history.
• On January 1, 1818, a Dalit-dominated British Army had defeated a Peshwa army, led by Peshwa Bajirao II, in Koregaon.
• The battle attained a legendary stature for Dalits, who consider the win as a victory of the Mahars against the injustices perpetrated by the Peshwas.
• A pillar, known as Vijay Sthamb (victory pillar), was installed by the East India Company to remember those who fought for them in the battle.
• It is at this pillar that thousands of Dalits come to pay respect every year on January 1.