A two-storey building in Pune, Maharashtra, known as Bhide Wada property, was demolished by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) after residents repeatedly refused to hand over the land despite court orders. The building holds historical significance as it was where renowned social reformer Savitribai Phule established India’s first school for girls.
The PMC had decided in 2006 to construct a memorial in honor of Savitribai Phule on the site. The process of land acquisition began in 2008, but the residents of Bhide Wada filed a lawsuit in 2010, raising objections to the acquisition process.
The case has been pending in court since 2010. During the recent hearings, the PMC pleaded for permission to proceed with the construction of the memorial, emphasizing its noble intentions. Unfortunately, the residents continued to refuse cooperation, leading the PMC to resort to forceful acquisition.
Pratibha Patil, Deputy Commissioner of PMC’s Land Acquisition Department, stated, This building will be demolished, and the process of building a monument will be set in motion shortly by the PMC after securing proper physical possession of the property.
Although both the Supreme Court and the High Court had ruled in favor of the PMC, the residents of Bhide Wada approached the Supreme Court once again, seeking an extension to vacate the premises. However, the Supreme Court refused to grant them any reprieve.
Despite the deadline for eviction passing, the residents and traders contested the judgment and filed a petition in the Supreme Court, requesting an extension. The PMC officials, left with no other option, proceeded with the forceful acquisition and demolished the building to make way for the national memorial.
The Bhide Wada property holds historical significance as it was where Mahatma Phule and Savitribai Phule established the first school for girls in front of the Dagdusheth Ganpati Temple in Pune.
The PMC’s actions, though met with resistance, were driven by the intent to honor Savitribai Phule’s contributions. The demolition of the Bhide Wada property marks a step towards establishing a national memorial that will commemorate the remarkable work of the social reformer.
