Jail Tourism initiative to begin from January 26

Maharashtra state government is all set to launch Jail Tourism initiative on January 26, considering the historical significance of several prisons in the state where citizens can see the Jail from inside.

The first phase of the initiative will start from 150-year-old Yerwada jail in Pune.

Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, will inaugurate the ‘Jail Tourism’ initiative at Yerwada Jail on January 26 at noon. The second phase of this initiative will begin at Nagpur, Thane & Ratnagiri Jail. It would be a novel experience for citizens, students & history scholars to learn more about its historical values.

Various jails in Maharashtra have a unique significance in the history of the Indian freedom struggle. Several freedom fighters, including Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sarojini Naidu, who contributed to the independence of the country were imprisoned, in Yerawada jail. The ‘Poona Pact’ that refers to an agreement between Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi was signed under a mango tree at Yerwada Central Jail in Pune. Great revolutionary freedom fighters Chapekar brothers also sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence in this Jail. 26/11 Mumbai attack terrorist Ajmal Kasab was hanged in the Yerwada Jail.