Surrounded By Controversy, This Imposing Structure Stands Tall In Noida: The Dalit Prerna Sthal

The Bahujan Samaj Party came into power in Uttar Pradesh in 2007, securing a majority in the state assembly elections, and Mayawati, as its President, was sworn in as the Chief Minister. BSP propounds the philosophy of ‘Dalit Socialism and Secularism’, and has grown exponentially ever since it was founded by Kanshi Ram in 1983. 

The Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal and Green Garden was constructed in Noida and inaugurated in 2011 for the cost of around Rs 685 crores, and Mayawati expects the cost to be recovered by the sale of entry tickets, priced at Rs 10!

The Purpose Of It All

The ostensible purpose of this giant construction is to serve as a memorial to the people who are known to have contributed immensely towards the struggle of the Dalits, and to honour their deeds, these persons being the revered Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Kanshi Ram and Mayawati herself. 

This Dalit memorial spread over 82.5 acres of land, built along the banks of Yamuna, is quite a sight! After buying your ticket, you enter through humongous gates and are greeted by the dome-shaped main building and huge green lawns on either side. These lawns are flanked by sandstone statues of elephants, the symbol of the BSP. 

The Interiors

The lawns are neat and well maintained, the whole area monitored by multiple CCTV cameras installed within the area, and in fact the whole structure is very well preserved. There are huge bronze hued fountains on either side, which are aesthetically pleasing. 

Entering the dome, you’ll find beautifully patterned ceilings and huge halls that will remind you of monuments built in earlier centuries. Upon entering, there are three bronze life size statues of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, politician, philosopher, jurist and economist; Kanshi Ram, the founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party and obviously, Mayawati. 

The statues are the highlight of the sthal, and there are also various carvings on walls within the dome, depicting the social transformation which took place under the leadership of these compelling characters in Indian politics.

To Be Or Not To Be

This construction of the statue of Mayawati, however, received a lot of criticism for various reasons. It was said to disturb the ecological balance of the area along Yamuna and hence the project was stalled for a couple of years. But in 2009, the Supreme Court approved its construction and gave it the go-ahead. Mayawati was also heavily attacked for using such a significant amount of taxpayer money (almost Rs 700 crores!) for getting a statue of herself erected. 

With that money and land, so many schools and education and sporting facilities could have been established. Mayawati continues to defend her decision and maintains that these political stalwarts never got their fair share of honour and hence deserve this memorial which has been set up in their memory, and the struggle which they led for the Dalit cause, so that generations to come would not forget it.

But is it really fair in a state where the government might, and does change, every five years, for a political party to promote and leave its mark in this manner? Tell us your views in the comments below!

Location | Dalit Prerna Sthal - Sector 95, Noida