Hundreds of Dalits today gathered at Dr Ambedkar's bust which was desecrated last year following which the followers went on a rampage and in order to control the crowd, the police had opened fire, killing 11 persons. They garlanded Dr Ambedkar's bust even as blaring music from loudspeakers reminded the residents of the sacrifice. President of the State unit of the Republican Party of India Sumant Gaikwad, party unit secretary Chandrakant Handore and leader Avinash Mahatekar also paid homage by garlanding Dr Ambedkar's bust.

The leaders then laid the foundation for construction of samadhi on an adjoining plot. A blood donation drive was also organised on the occasion with local leaders appealing to the people to donate their blood in the memory of those who laid down their lives last year. Thedonation camp lasted throughout the day. At another function organised at Hutatma Chowk, the Dalits tonsured their heads protesting against the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party government who have not booked the culprits responsible for the death of the protesters.

A posse of policemen were stationed at the chowk to avoid any unruly incident. While 100 people tonsured their head earlier and joined the protestors at the chowk, three leaders including Bhai Sangare tonsured his head at the chowk following which the police swooped into action and arrested him. The police arrested about 150 people who were agitating against the State government but released them later.

Protestors shouted slogans against the government for reinstating PI Manohar Kadam who had ordered the firing.