MAHARASHTRA Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said the State Government has undertaken a comprehensive development of the historic Chavdar Tale of lake at Mahad in Raigad district, associated with Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s landmark protest that will complete a centenary next year. Speaking at the project’s ground-breaking ceremony, Fadnavis said the initiative goes beyond mere purification of water in the lake, and aims at the holistic development of the area, including beautification and creation of various public facilities. Recalling the Chavdar Tale Satyagraha as a landmark social movement that promoted equality and human dignity at 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 at Mahad on March 20, 1927, and afterwards proceeded to Chavdar Tale or lake and drank water from it to assert the Dalit communities’ right to use public water bodies. The incident became famous as ‘Chavdar Tale Satyagraha’.