LUCKNOW: Merely two days after the state government’s decision to add ‘Ramji’ to the name of Dr BR Ambedkar, anti-social elements vandalised the statues of Dalit icon in Allahabad and Siddharthnagar districts late on Friday night.
While the residents of Trivenipuram Colony spotted the statue of Ambedkar with missing head in a local park in Jhunsi area of Allahabad city, another statue of the leader was found vandalised with a broken hand in Gauhania Raj village of Dumriaganj tehsil in Siddharthnagar district on Saturday morning.
While Chief Minister Yogi Aditynath took strong notice of the two incidents and directed both the district administrations to identify troublemakers and take stern action with promptness, BSP chief Mayawati attributed it to the laxity of state government that such incidents were happening in UP repeatedly.
In the wake of the incidents, a large number of protestors gathered at both the places demanding prompt replacement of the broken statues and action against the miscreants. The respective police administrations were facing a tough time in placating the demonstrators with tension prevailing and tempers running high at both the places.
While in Jhunsi, Allahabad, the protestors, mainly SP and BSP workers, were led by newly-elected SP MP of Phulpur Nagendra Singh Patel. They were demonstrating and shouting slogans against the district police since morning. However, senior police officers were present on the spot and extra force had been called in from adjoining police stations in view of a huge build up in Allahabad.
SSP Allahabad, Akash Kulhari told the media persons that efforts were on to identify the mischief elements who vandalised the statue. He appealed to the people to stay calm assuring them that the troublemakers would soon be brought to books and the damaged statue would be replaced.
"We are aware of the matter and are trying to locate the suspects," said the SSP, Allahabad. He added that a case against unidentified persons was already lodged and a probe was on.
Similarly, in Siddharthnagar also, people were agitated over the vandalism. A huge crowd had gathered at the spot demanding the replacement of the damaged statue with an exact replica.
SP and BSP workers were present in large number in the village to protest against the vandalism. However, senior police officials were also present on the spot. FIR against the unidentified miscreants was lodged and process to replace the statue had already begun.
“The statue is being changed. A case has been registered against unidentified persons and proper action will be taken against those found guilty,” said SP Siddharthnagar, Dharamveer Singh.
Meanwhile, reacting to the two incidents, BSP chief and former UP CM Mayawati blamed it on the laxity on the part of district administrations. She called it the failure of the state government to protect the statues. She exhorted the state government to act sternly with such anti-social elements who were vitiating the atmosphere by indulging in such mischievous acts.
However, the BSP chief did not mince words in attacking the BJP government saying the dispensation seemed least bothered about safeguarding the statues.
“The BJP government is only concerned about its vote bank and earning cheap popularity instead of acting honestly to crush such elements as per the provisions of the Constitution,” said the BSP chief.