Ambedkar’s Statue Vandalized in Ahmedabad Amid Shah’s Controversial Statement, Residents Protest and Mevani Threatens Strong Action

Amid the ongoing controversy over the statement made by the Union Home Minister in Parliament about Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar in Ahmedabad’s Khokhra area has been vandalized. The statue, located outside Jayanti Vekil’s residence opposite K.K. Shastri College, was damaged by antisocial elements who broke the nose of the statue. This act led to a crowd gathering at the site. Local residents immediately informed the police, and the Khokhra police reached the location promptly.

Following the incident, residents of the area began sitting in protest on the road. As the crowd grew larger, one side of the road was blocked, and a diversion was provided. The Congress corporator from Amraiwadi also reached the site, demanding the immediate arrest of the antisocial elements and a public procession for them. Additionally, MLA Jignesh Mevani has threatened to launch a fierce protest in response to the incident.

Local Residents Protest for Immediate Action on Babasaheb Ambedkar Statue Vandalism

Local residents have stated that they will not move from the road until the person responsible for damaging Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s statue is arrested. They also demand the immediate reinstatement of the damaged statue. Currently, the defaced statue has been covered with cloth.

ACP Kunal Desai mentioned that the Khokhra police have filed a complaint regarding the incident and have initiated efforts to arrest the culprits.

Damage to Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Statue in Khokhra Area

According to reports, the statue of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was placed outside the residence of Jayanti Vekil, near K.K. Shastri College in Ahmedabad’s Khokhra area. Early this morning, as locals were passing by, they discovered that the statue’s nose had been broken, causing damage. 

The news quickly spread, and a crowd of local residents gathered at the site. Since the damage was caused by unknown individuals, the police were notified. The Khokhra police have filed a complaint against an unidentified person regarding the incident.

Jignesh Mevani Threatens Strong Protest Over Ambedkar Statue Vandalism

Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani has stated that the comment made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament against Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar has caused widespread anger among Dalits across India and Gujarat. Mevani emphasized that the issue of Ambedkar’s statue being damaged in Ahmedabad’s Khokhra area is a direct result of this provocation. 

He alleged that certain casteist elements in Gujarat are being supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, fostering a mentality that leads to actions like damaging the statue.

Mevani condemned these acts as attempts to incite anger and unrest within the Dalit community. He called for the immediate arrest of the culprits involved in vandalizing the statue within 24 hours, or else he threatened to launch a fierce protest. 

He stated that these actions were aimed at disrupting the peace of Gujarat and the nation, and warned that such actions would only further provoke the Dalit community.

Congress Delegation to Submit Petition at CP Office Over Ambedkar Statue Vandalism

City Congress President Himat Singh Patel has stated that the attempt to vandalize Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s statue is a serious issue. He mentioned that he has already discussed the matter with the Commissioner of Police and demanded strict punishment for the culprits involved. 

Patel also called for the installation of a new statue in place of the damaged one, emphasizing that Babasaheb is the architect of the nation’s Constitution and holds deep emotional significance for the people of the country. Additionally, a Congress delegation will submit a petition at the CP office on December 23 to further address the issue.

“Arrest Antisocial Elements and Publicly Shame Them” – Congress Corporator’s Demand

In a conversation with Source, Amraiwadi Corporator Jagdish Rathod stated that antisocial elements attempted to disrupt the peace of the city by vandalizing Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s statue in Khokhra, near Jayanti Vekil’s residence, early in the morning.

Rathod linked this act of vandalism to the controversial remarks made by the Union Home Minister in Parliament about Babasaheb Ambedkar. He suggested that these antisocial actions were an attempt to divert attention from the ongoing protests against the Home Minister’s comments.

He demanded that a police complaint be filed immediately, and that the antisocial elements responsible be arrested and publicly shamed. Rathod further criticized the state Home Minister, urging that if they truly respect Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution, as they claim, they should show it by taking swift and decisive action against the culprits.

“Accused Will Be Arrested Within 24 Hours,” Assures BJP MLA Amul Bhatt

BJP MLA from Maninagar, Amul Bhatt, also visited the scene of the incident and assured local residents that the culprits would be arrested within 24 hours. He emphasized that the government is taking the matter very seriously. Regarding the residents’ demand to reinstall the statue, Bhatt promised that a new, better statue would be placed and unveiled. 

He reiterated that this issue is not about any political party, as Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar belongs to everyone. Bhatt confirmed that he has made representations to the state government and discussed the matter with the police to ensure swift action is taken and the culprits are apprehended quickly.