In a bold midnight operation, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) executed the demolition of Bhide Wada, a historic structure with roots dating back to 1848 when social reformers Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule established the first school for girls within its walls. This move comes as part of the PMC’s ambitious plan to construct a national memorial dedicated to the Phule couple on the site.
Despite facing staunch opposition from local residents and traders, who sought legal intervention, the PMC pressed forward with the demolition, underlining the municipality’s commitment to the establishment of the national memorial.
Recent judicial nods from the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court have provided the necessary clearance for the PMC’s memorial project. This paved the way for the enforcement of eviction orders on shop owners and tenants inhabiting the deteriorating Bhide Wada, situated in Pune’s Budhwar Peth area.
Bhide Wada, holding immense historical significance, served as the cradle of the pioneering girls’ school initiated by the Phule couple. The structure, albeit dilapidated, remained a symbolic testament to the couple’s contributions to education and social reform.
Even with the Supreme Court and the High Court rulings in favor of the PMC’s acquisition of the Bhide Wada property, the municipal corporation faced formidable challenges from traders vehemently opposed to relinquishing ownership of the property. This clash of interests added an extra layer of complexity to an already contentious situation.
The demolition marks the end of an era for Bhide Wada but signals the beginning of a new chapter as the PMC moves forward with its plans to honor the legacy of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule through the establishment of a national memorial at the historic site.
