Civic body trying to prolong statue case: historian in court

Balkawade,through his lawyer Advocate Girish Shinde filed his say in the court of joint civil judge (senior division) A S Rajandekar.

According to the say submitted in the court,the application filed by PMC is solely to prolong the matter.

“It is false and denied that this court is ill equipped to try,entertain and decide the truth and/or correctness of historical belief…’ Balkawade stated in his say.He added that the PMC had dedicated Lal Mahal to the public by passing a general body resolution. The public at large has free access to visit the mural and monument and it is a right of the common public. The monument symbolises the community moral of local people of Pune.

‘It is therefore submitted that to make any change in mural by removing the statue of Dadoji Konddeo amounts to interference with the right of general public and distortion of historical facts,’ stated Balkawade.

The state,too had filed an application challenging the jurisdiction of the civil court. Balkawade is yet to file his say on the same. The next date of hearing is January 14.