Pune authorities have mounted a massive security blanket involving 9,000 police personnel, drones, and artificial intelligence-powered cameras for the 208th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Koregaon Bhima at the 'Jaystambh' monument on January 1, 2026. The elaborate arrangements come in the wake of past violence and anticipate lakhs of visitors, primarily Ambedkarites, who mark the day as 'Shaurya Din'.
Unprecedented Security Measures Deployed
The police deployment spans Pune city, Pune rural, and Pimpri Chinchwad jurisdictions, focusing on Perne village, Koregaon Bhima, Vadhu Budruk, Shikrapur, and Lonikand. The force includes 1,000 home guards, 20 State Reserve Police Force companies, 18 Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad teams, and multiple Quick Response Teams. Technology plays a key role, with several CCTV and face recognition cameras using AI, drones, and satellite phones deployed for surveillance. Watch towers have also been erected at strategic points.
To manage the expected crowds, the police have announced a traffic diversion. A section of the Pune-Ahilyanagar highway from Shikrapur to Lonikand will be closed for all vehicles on January 1. Visitors must use temporary parking lots, from where over 800 PMPML buses will ferry them to the Jaystambh. Authorities have also arranged ambulances, fire brigade teams, and health and sanitation facilities at the site.
Jaystambh Adorned and a Historical Legacy
The Jaystambh, a military obelisk in Perne village, has been decorated with the Indian tricolour, images of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and the Ashok Stambh. The words nyay (justice), swatantrya (freedom), bandhutva (fraternity), and samanata (equality) are displayed on its four sides. Erected by the British in 1821, it commemorates soldiers who fought against the Peshwas in the battle on January 1, 1818.
For the Dalit Ambedkarite community, the day holds profound significance. Their narrative states that a 500-strong British Army regiment comprising Mahar soldiers defeated a 28,000-strong Peshwa force, symbolizing a fight against caste oppression. Dr. Ambedkar himself visited the site on January 1, 1927, during the movement against the ban on recruiting 'untouchables' into the army. The year 2027 will mark the centenary of that visit.
Ongoing Dispute and Preventive Actions
The security alert follows the violence on January 1, 2018, during the 200th-anniversary event, which resulted in one death and several injuries. Police have warned of strict action against circulating objectionable posts related to the event and have taken preventive measures against potential troublemakers. Senior officials, including Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi and Police Commissioners Amitesh Kumar and Sandeep Singh Gill, are monitoring the situation.
A historical and legal nuance surrounds the monument. The Jamadar family, descendants of Kandojibin Gajoji Jamadar (Malvadkar), a soldier wounded in the 1818 battle, were appointed its custodians by the British. They received land rights through a sanad (official order). The family, belonging to the Maratha community, contends the battle was not caste-based, as both armies had mixed caste compositions. A civil court in Pune is adjudicating a dispute between this family and the Maharashtra government over the Jaystambh land's ownership.
As per a recent Bombay High Court order, the government has taken temporary possession of the disputed land from December 22, 2025, to January 5, 2026, to facilitate the anniversary arrangements. Possession will revert to the Jamadar family after January 5.
