Prakash Ambedkar Urges Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde to Waive Toll Fees for Devotees on Dhammachakra Pravartan Din 2024

Akola, Maharashtra (October 11, 2024): Prakash Ambedkar, president of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), has requested Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to waive toll fees for devotees traveling to various places in the state, including Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Akola, to pay homage to Gautam Buddha and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on the occasion of Dhammachakra Pravartan Din.

धम्मचक्र प्रवर्तन दिन निमित्त दिक्षा भूमी नागपूर, बुद्ध लेणी औरंगाबाद, अकोला आणि महाराष्ट्रातील विविध ठिकाणी तथागत गौतम बुद्ध आणि बाबासाहेबांना अभिवादन करण्यासाठी प्रवास करणाऱ्या अनुयायांकडून टोल घेतला जाऊ नये, यासाठी मी आज महाराष्ट्राचे मुख्यमंत्री @CMOMaharashtra यांना पत्र… pic.twitter.com/YRZMS7QtSG

— Prakash Ambedkar (@Prksh_Ambedkar) October 11, 2024

In a letter to CM Shinde, Ambedkar said that Oct. 14, the day Dr. B.R. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism in Nagpur, is a significant day for Buddhists worldwide. Every year, lakhs of Buddhists travel to Nagpur, Aurangabad, Akola, and other parts of Maharashtra to celebrate this festival. Ambedkar requested that the toll be waived for these pilgrims, considering the religious and cultural significance of the event.

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"People from rural areas of Maharashtra and other parts of the country travel to pay their respects to Gautam Buddha and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar," VBA chief wrote in Marathi. "I request you to waive the toll for Buddhist pilgrims traveling during Dhammachakra Pravartan Din."

It remains to be seen how Chief Minister Shinde will respond to Ambedkar's request and whether he will consider waiving the toll for devotees during Dhammachakra Pravartan Din.