Ambedkar statues vandalised in U.P.

Statues of B.R. Ambedkar were recently defaced in the villages of Hasnapur, Unnao district and Chandpur, Etawah district in Uttar Pradesh, sparking outrage among the local Dalit community. On the night preceding Wednesday, unidentified individuals damaged the statues, prompting a sit-in protest by the villagers who demanded appropriate action against the perpetrators.

To quell the unrest, the authorities installed new statues at both locations. A statement from the Unnao police confirmed the vandalism, stating that a case has been filed under the relevant laws and that necessary legal measures are being taken. Similarly, the Chandpur police announced the installation of a new statue and assured that the situation remains calm.

The opposition Congress party accused the recent incidents of being a deliberate attempt to belittle the Dalit community, suggesting that the rise of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh had emboldened feudal elements. Senior U.P. Congress leader Ajay Kumar Lallu expressed his concern over the act, stating that it signals to Dalits that they are considered second-class citizens.