Savarkar's memorial in a sorry state

PUNE: The local BJP and Shiv Sena leaders have threatened to stage an agitation over dismal state of the Veer Savarkar memorial on Karve road. Corporator Raja Balkawde, BJP city unit deputy chief Sandeep Khardekar and Shiv Sena office-bearers visited the memorial on Wednesday ahead of Savarkar's birth anniversary on May 28. Speaking to media, Khardekar said that the memorial and the Savarkar's bust were in a deplorable state since the authorities do not care enough to maintain them. "The bust has lost its colour, bushes have grown in the surrounding, the ceiling is leaking and the fountains are not working. Not just the railings and lamps, but even Savarkar's spectacles are missing from the bust. Nobody knows how much funds are actually spent on maintenance. Who is responsible for this sorry state of affairs?" Khardekar said. Similar complaint was made last year, but the PMC did not pay heed to our demands, he added. "We will start an agitation in protest against the PMC's high-handedness if required changes are not made before May 28. The PMC should maintain proper staff for cleaning the premises and appoint security personnel for the memorial," Khardekar said.