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Attempt to vandalise Ambedkar statue in Amritsar ‘shameful’: BSP chief Mayawati


Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati. File
| Photo Credit: PTI

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Monday (January 27, 2025) condemned the alleged attempt to vandalise a statue of Dr. BR Ambedkar in Punjab‘s Amritsar and accused the State’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of negligence.

The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister also slammed the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claiming that the two parties are using Ambedkar’s name to deceive the people of Delhi ahead of the February 5 Assembly polls.

Punjab Police on Sunday (January 26, 2025) arrested a man hailing from Moga district, who allegedly attempted to damage the statue of Ambedkar at the Town Hall on Heritage Street that leads to the Golden Temple. The Amritsar Police Commissionerate arrested the accused after registering an FIR.

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A purported video of the incident was circulated on social media in which the man could be seen climbing up the statue using a long steel ladder carrying a hammer.

In a series of posts on X, Ms. Mayawati said, “The attempt to desecrate the statue of Baba Saheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar near the Golden Temple on Heritage Street in Amritsar and to set fire near a copy of the Constitution is shameful. Such incidents, caused by government negligence, must be strongly condemned.”

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo demanded strict legal action against “such anti-social elements” to prevent any recurrence of such events in the future.

Highlighting the timing of the incident, she remarked, “It is particularly disgraceful for the AAP government that this disrespect occurred on Republic Day, the historic day when the country celebrates the adoption of the Constitution by Baba Saheb.”

Referring to the Delhi Assembly elections, Ms. Mayawati urged voters to exercise caution against the “double standards” of the AAP, the Congress, and the BJP, and to strengthen the “Ambedkarite BSP” by voting for it.

The BSP supremo also criticised the Congress for its alleged political opportunism, saying, “The Congress, which disrespected Baba Saheb in the past by not awarding him Bharat Ratna and neglecting his followers, is now staging rallies in his name in Madhya Pradesh‘s Mhow, his birthplace. This is nothing but political deception and electoral opportunism.”

Mann condemns attempt to vandalise Ambedkar’s statue in Amritsar

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann condemned the attempt to damage a statue of B.R. Ambedkar in Amritsar and said strict action will be taken in the matter.

Mr. Mann, in a post on X, said the incident is highly condemnable and no one will be forgiven. “Whoever is responsible for the incident, he/she will be severely punished. No one will be allowed to break the brotherhood and unity of Punjab,” Mr. Mann said.

The Chief Minister further said, “instructions have been issued to the administration to investigate it and take strict action against the culprits.”

Opposition leaders strongly condemned the incident, with some leaders saying there could be a “deep-rooted” conspiracy behind it which needs to be thoroughly probed. Punjab Congress chief and party MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said there could be a “deep-rooted” conspiracy behind it. “There should be a high-level probe,” Mr. Warring demanded.

BJP senior leader Tarun Chugh said the culprit should be given strict punishment. “The conspiracy needs to be unearthed,” he said. Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal also strongly condemned the incident and demanded a thorough inquiry to unravel the “conspiracy” behind the incident.

“Strongly condemn the attempt to desecrate the statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar ji’s statue at the Heritage Street in Sri Amritsar Sahib on Republic Day. This heinous act has hurt the sentiments of millions. I demand stern action against the culprit and a thorough inquiry to unravel the conspiracy behind this shameful incident. Let’s stand united against such vile attempts to create divisions in our society,” Mr. Badal posted on X.



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