More
    HomePunjabAttempt to vandalise Ambedkar statue in Amritsar 'shameful': BSP chief Mayawati

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

    Published on

    spot_img

    In a strongly worded statement, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has condemned the attempted vandalism of a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in Amritsar, Punjab. Labeling the act as “shameful” and deeply disrespectful, she urged authorities to take immediate and strict action against those responsible. The incident has sparked outrage among Dalit communities and political leaders, who see such acts as deliberate attempts to undermine the contributions of the architect of the Indian Constitution.

    Incident Details and Public Reaction

    According to local reports, the incident took place in Amritsar, where miscreants attempted to deface or damage the statue of Dr. Ambedkar. The act was quickly noticed by residents and local authorities, who intervened and prevented further damage. The attempted vandalism has led to widespread anger, with community members and political leaders demanding swift action against the perpetrators.

    The statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a symbol of social justice and empowerment for millions of marginalized communities in India, holds immense significance for people across the country. Attacking such statues is viewed not only as disrespect but also as an attempt to disrupt communal harmony and social unity.

    Mayawati’s Strong Condemnation

    Mayawati, known for her unwavering commitment to Dalit rights and social justice, condemned the act. She described the attempted vandalism as “a disgraceful and cowardly act that reflects the deep-seated prejudices still prevalent in society.” She also stressed that such incidents should not be taken lightly and called for strict legal action against those involved.

    “Dr. B.R. Ambedkar dedicated his life to fighting social injustice and bringing equality to India. Any attempt to deface his status is an insult to the principles he stood for and to the democratic values of our country. The government must act swiftly to bring the culprits to justice and ensure that such incidents do not recur,” Mayawati said

    Demand for Swift Action

    Mayawati further urged the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, to take stringent measures to prevent such incidents in the future. She emphasized the need for:

    • Increased Security for Statues: Given the symbolic importance of Ambedkar statues, she called for better security and surveillance at such sites.
    • Strict Legal Action: She demanded that those responsible be identified and prosecuted under relevant laws to serve as a deterrent to others.
    • Community Awareness Initiatives: The BSP chief also called for awareness campaigns to educate people about the contributions of Dr. Ambedkar and the importance of respecting public monuments.

    Several political leaders and social activists have echoed Mayawati’s sentiments, emphasizing that such incidents can fuel unrest and create divisions in society. They have called for political parties to rise above differences and collectively condemn acts of vandalism targeting figures of national importance.

    Political and Social Reactions

    The attempted vandalism has sparked strong reactions from various political parties and social organizations. Leaders from the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have also condemned the incident, expressing solidarity with Dalit communities who revere Dr. Ambedkar as a champion of social justice.

    Dalit organizations and rights groups have staged protests in Amritsar and other parts of Punjab, demanding immediate arrests and stronger laws to prevent such acts in the future. Many activists have pointed out that attacks on Ambedkar statues are not isolated incidents but part of a larger pattern aimed at marginalizing Dalit history and contributions.

    Legal Implications and Preventive Measures

    Vandalizing statues of national figures is a punishable offense under Indian law. Under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, of 1984, those found guilty of damaging public statutes can face imprisonment and hefty fines. Additionally, sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to promoting enmity between different communities can also be invoked in such cases.

    To prevent further occurrences, authorities have been urged to:

    • Increase surveillance in areas where important statues and monuments are located.
    • Deploy law enforcement officials to protect sites that are vulnerable to acts of vandalism.
    • Engage in community dialogue to foster a sense of shared responsibility in protecting public symbols.
    • Implement harsher penalties for those involved in such attacks to deter similar crimes in the future.

    Broader Context: A Pattern of Vandalism?

    Unfortunately, incidents of vandalism against Ambedkar statues have been reported in various parts of the country over the years. Such acts are often politically or ideologically motivated, aimed at creating tensions among different communities.

    Mayawati has consistently raised concerns about the safety of Ambedkar statues and has urged successive governments to take proactive measures. She has also emphasized that these incidents highlight the urgent need for greater social awareness and stricter laws to protect public monuments.

    Conclusion

    The attempted vandalism of the Ambedkar statue in Amritsar has once again brought to light the challenges of social harmony and respect for historical figures in India. Mayawati’s strong condemnation of the act as “shameful” underscores the deep emotional and symbolic importance of Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy.

    As public outrage grows, there is increasing pressure on authorities to act decisively. Ensuring justice in this case will serve as a different and reform the nation’s commitment to upholding the values of equality and respect that Ambedkar championed. Moving forward, it is crucial that society remains vigilant against such acts of intolerance and continues to promote the ideals of social justice and unity that Dr. Ambedkar envisioned for India.

    Latest articles

    ਬਠਿੰਡਾ ਕਤਲ ਕੇਸ: ਪੰਜਾਬ ਪੁਲਿਸ ਨੇ ਮ੍ਰਿਤਕ ਅਪਰਾਧੀ ਓਵਰਸੀਅਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਦੇ ਦੋ ਸਾਥੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਗ੍ਰਿਫ਼ਤਾਰ ਕੀਤਾ; ਦੋ ਪਿਸਤੌਲ ਬਰਾਮਦ

    ਬਠਿੰਡਾ ਕਤਲ ਕੇਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਇੱਕ ਮਹੱਤਵਪੂਰਨ ਘਟਨਾਕ੍ਰਮ ਵਿੱਚ, ਪੰਜਾਬ ਐਂਟੀ-ਗੈਂਗਸਟਰ ਟਾਸਕ ਫੋਰਸ (AGTF) ​​ਨੇ...

    ਰਾਜੀਵ ਗਾਂਧੀ ਨੈਸ਼ਨਲ ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ ਆਫ਼ ਲਾਅ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਵਿਖੇ 6ਵਾਂ ਕਨਵੋਕੇਸ਼ਨ

    ਰਾਜੀਵ ਗਾਂਧੀ ਨੈਸ਼ਨਲ ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ ਆਫ਼ ਲਾਅ (RGNUL), ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ 6ਵੇਂ ਕਨਵੋਕੇਸ਼ਨ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਾਨਦਾਰ ਮੌਕੇ...

    ਪੀਐਮ-ਈ-ਬੱਸ ਸਕੀਮ ਤਹਿਤ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਲਈ 347 ਈ-ਬੱਸਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਵਾਨਗੀ

    ਪੰਜਾਬ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਈ-ਬੱਸ ਯੋਜਨਾ ਦੇ ਤਹਿਤ 347 ਇਲੈਕਟ੍ਰਿਕ ਬੱਸਾਂ ਦੀ ਤਾਇਨਾਤੀ...

    ਪੰਜਾਬ ਨੇ 4,474 ਸਰਕਾਰੀ ਇਮਾਰਤਾਂ ‘ਤੇ ਛੱਤਾਂ ‘ਤੇ ਸੋਲਰ ਪੈਨਲ ਲਗਾਏ, 2025-26 ਲਈ 20 ਮੈਗਾਵਾਟ ਦਾ ਟੀਚਾ ਰੱਖਿਆ

    ਪੰਜਾਬ ਨੇ 4,474 ਸਰਕਾਰੀ ਇਮਾਰਤਾਂ 'ਤੇ ਛੱਤ ਵਾਲੇ ਸੋਲਰ ਫੋਟੋਵੋਲਟੇਇਕ (ਪੀਵੀ) ਪੈਨਲ ਲਗਾ ਕੇ...

    More like this

    ਬਠਿੰਡਾ ਕਤਲ ਕੇਸ: ਪੰਜਾਬ ਪੁਲਿਸ ਨੇ ਮ੍ਰਿਤਕ ਅਪਰਾਧੀ ਓਵਰਸੀਅਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਦੇ ਦੋ ਸਾਥੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਗ੍ਰਿਫ਼ਤਾਰ ਕੀਤਾ; ਦੋ ਪਿਸਤੌਲ ਬਰਾਮਦ

    ਬਠਿੰਡਾ ਕਤਲ ਕੇਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਇੱਕ ਮਹੱਤਵਪੂਰਨ ਘਟਨਾਕ੍ਰਮ ਵਿੱਚ, ਪੰਜਾਬ ਐਂਟੀ-ਗੈਂਗਸਟਰ ਟਾਸਕ ਫੋਰਸ (AGTF) ​​ਨੇ...

    ਰਾਜੀਵ ਗਾਂਧੀ ਨੈਸ਼ਨਲ ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ ਆਫ਼ ਲਾਅ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਵਿਖੇ 6ਵਾਂ ਕਨਵੋਕੇਸ਼ਨ

    ਰਾਜੀਵ ਗਾਂਧੀ ਨੈਸ਼ਨਲ ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ ਆਫ਼ ਲਾਅ (RGNUL), ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ 6ਵੇਂ ਕਨਵੋਕੇਸ਼ਨ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਾਨਦਾਰ ਮੌਕੇ...

    ਪੀਐਮ-ਈ-ਬੱਸ ਸਕੀਮ ਤਹਿਤ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਲਈ 347 ਈ-ਬੱਸਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਵਾਨਗੀ

    ਪੰਜਾਬ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਈ-ਬੱਸ ਯੋਜਨਾ ਦੇ ਤਹਿਤ 347 ਇਲੈਕਟ੍ਰਿਕ ਬੱਸਾਂ ਦੀ ਤਾਇਨਾਤੀ...