Mumbai, March 20 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Friday that the state government has undertaken a comprehensive development of the historic Chavdar Lake in Mahad, in the Raigad district, which is associated with Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's landmark protest and will complete its centenary next year.
Speaking at the project's ground-breaking ceremony, Fadnavis said that the initiative goes beyond simply purifying the lake water, and aims at the holistic development of the area, including beautification and the creation of various public facilities.
Recalling the Chavdar Lake Satyagraha as a landmark social movement that promoted equality and human dignity during a time of deep social divisions, the CM said, "It reminds us of the values of humanity and social justice upheld by Dr. Ambedkar. We are committed to developing this site in a way that reflects those ideals."
Dr. Ambedkar and his supporters held a meeting in Mahad on March 20, 1927, and subsequently proceeded to Chavdar Lake and drank water from it to assert the Dalit communities' right to use public water bodies. The incident became famous as the 'Chavdar Lake Satyagraha'.
Mahad is located approximately 170 km from Mumbai.