PUNE, NOV 11. Union Minister of State and BJP MP Murlidhar Mohol is facing fresh difficulties just before the expected Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections, as various Ambedkarite organizations have launched an aggressive ‘Jawab Do’ (Answer Now) protest outside his public relations office.
The protest, a sit-in demonstration held on Monday, November 10, 2025, centers on Mohol’s alleged failure to fulfill a promise regarding the expansion of the Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Cultural Hall near Pune railway station.
The Core Grievance
The controversy stems from a parcel of land measuring 8,900 square meters at Maldhakka Chowk that was officially reserved for the expansion of the Ambedkar Cultural Memorial. However, the Ambedkar Cultural Memorial Committee and associated organizations allege that this reserved plot was instead leased to a private company.
Following a massive protest by the committee in the past, Minister Mohol had intervened. At the time, Mohol reportedly assured the protestors that he would cancel the contract with the private company and issue an order to transfer the land to the Memorial expansion within eight days. The committee claims that the then Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also contacted Mohol via phone during the agitation to assure the demands would be met.
Mohol Accused of 'Fraud'
With two and a half months having passed since the assurance was given and no action taken, the protesting committee has now publicly accused Mohol of "fraud" (fasanvuk).
The organizations, including committee coordinator Shailendra More, along with Deepak Gaikwad, Nita Adsule, and Swati Gaikwad, who were present at the sit-in, stated that Mohol has failed to keep his word regarding the monument’s land.
Threat of City-Wide Agitation
The 'Jawab Do' movement signifies growing political pressure on Mohol and the ruling party, particularly with local body elections imminent. Shailendra More warned that if their demand is not met following this protest, the organizations plan to launch a large-scale public movement.
"We will go to various parts of the city and inform the community how they were deceived," More stated, adding that they will organize condemnation meetings across the city against Minister Mohol and the current ruling administration. This aggressive stance further complicates the political landscape for the BJP in Pune ahead of the crucial municipal polls.
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