Vandalism of Ambedkar’s statue sparks anger in U.P.’s Hapur
B.R. Ambedkar was vandalised by miscreants in the intervening night. Villagers, mostly Dalits, held a sit-in protest at the site demanding the strictest action against the culprits. Senior district police officials and local police teams reached the spot, reinstalled the statue, convinced the demonstrators of proper action over the incident, and assured them that such an incident would not recur. Afterwards, the demonstration was called off by the protestors.A large number of police personnel are currently present in the area to prevent any untoward incident. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The police are scrutinising CCTV footage and other electronic material to nab the culprits.Congress leaders and Dalit social groups also sat on a dharna with the villagers at the spot. “If the accused are not caught, we will be forced to launch a big movement,” said Vikas Gautam, a resident.“On receiving information that the statue of Dr. Ambedkar was partially damaged by some miscreant under the Hafizpur police station area, senior officials immediately reached the spot and inspected the incident site. A case has been registered under appropriate sections in the matter; investigation is under way and meaningful efforts are being made to ensure the early arrest of the culprits, the statue has been reinstalled,” Station House Officer of Hafizpur Police Station told The Hindu.‘Organised pattern’Opposition parties described the incident as part of an organised pattern to humiliate the Dalit community. “It is a pattern under which feudal forces, supported by the BJP government, indulge in such acts to demoralise the Dalit population. Attacks on statues of Dr. Ambedkar are rampant under the BJP regime; this is a complete failure of law and order,” senior U.P. Congress leader Anil Yadav said.“We strongly condemn the vandalism of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s statue in Hapur. This is an affront to the values of equality, dignity, and justice enshrined in our Constitution. We urge a swift, impartial investigation and strict action against those responsible. We also appeal to all citizens to remain calm and uphold peace and harmony. As those committed to the idea of ‘PDA’ (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpasankhyak), the marginalized, the deprived, and all sections seeking justice, we reaffirm that Babasaheb’s ideals belong to every Indian and must be protected without compromise. India’s strength lies in its unity and constitutional values; these must guide our response at all times,”
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