HYDERABAD: At a time statues of Ambedkar and some other leaders are being damaged in some parts of the state, some miscreants damaged the statue of former prime minister the late Rajiv Gandhi here on Sunday leading to mild tension.
A student leader of Osmania University claimed responsibility for the attack and termed it a retaliation to the insult heaped on the Dalit leader.
A portion of the face of the statue of Rajiv Gandhi at the Chilkalguda Crossroads in Secunderabad was found damaged and police were informed of it by local Congress leaders around 11.30 am.
By the time the Gopalapuram police reached the place, Congress leaders and activists had gathered there to stage a protest against the desecration of the statue and demanded action against the culprits.
Assuring them that the culprits would be arrested, police managed to disperse the protesters and brought the situation under control.
Even as the police took up investigation, M Krishank, a leader of the Osmania University Students Joint Action Committee (OUJAC) , called up media offices and claimed responsibility for the damage done to the statue and said the act was in retaliation to the desecration of Ambedkar statues in Amalapuram and other areas.
On Saturday the statues of freedom fighter and veteran parliamentarian Acharya NG Ranga and former Vijayawada MLA Vangaveeti Ranga were damaged at Tenali in Guntur district.
Gopalapuram police registered a case under Section 153-a (promoting enmity between classes) against the offenders.
Police said they were verifying the claims of the OUJAC leader.
No arrests have been made so far.