Ambedkar statue found defiled in Rae Bareli village; police probe underway
Baburiha village, under the Gadganj police station limits in Rae Bareli district, remained on edge on Tuesday after an unidentified group smeared mud and soot on a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar during the night. The incident, which came to light in the morning, triggered anger among local residents and followers of the Dalit icon.
Villagers gathered at the spot and demanded swift action against those responsible. Umesh Gautam, a local resident, said, "Baba Saheb's followers and we, the local residents, are deeply angered. Unknown individuals took advantage of the darkness." The demand for justice was echoed by others who said such acts hurt the dignity of the community.
Police officials reached the spot shortly after being informed. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Rae Bareli and Circle Officer (CO) Unchahar, along with the Gadganj police team, spoke to the agitated crowd and assured them of a fair and transparent investigation. The statue was cleaned immediately. In an official statement, the Rae Bareli police said, "Taking immediate cognisance of the incident, the additional SP, the circle officer, and the police team arrived at the scene and had the statue cleaned. CCTV footage from the surrounding area is being checked and necessary action is being taken. Peace and law and order are maintained at the scene."
The police have assured villagers that the culprits will be identified soon and strict legal action will be taken. As a precautionary measure, additional police personnel have been deployed in the village. Officials said the situation is under control.
The incident drew political reaction, with the Congress party condemning it as part of a larger pattern. Shahnawaz Alam, national secretary of the Congress, said, "The incident is not a single episode in Uttar Pradesh. In the last year, multiple such incidents have come into the public domain. It is a calculated nefarious strategy by feudal forces to demoralise Dalits. Such an incident happening in Rae Bareli, the constituency represented by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, has a broader meaning and is a way of showing vendetta against Dalits who supported the pro-poor ideas of Rahul Ji." He demanded that the state government present a white paper on actions taken in similar cases across Uttar Pradesh involving vandalism of Ambedkar statues.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution and a champion of Dalit rights, is revered across the country. His statues, which symbolise social justice and equality, are considered sacred by millions. Damage to such statues is treated as a serious offence under various legal provisions, including the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which criminalises intentional insult or intimidation aimed at humiliating members of these communities.
Authorities have urged calm and requested villagers to cooperate with the investigation. They have also appealed to the public not to spread unverified information. The police have stated that a thorough inquiry is underway and that all available technical and forensic evidence, including CCTV footage, is being examined to identify the perpetrators.
The incident comes amid recurring reports of damage to Ambedkar statues in parts of Uttar Pradesh, raising concerns about the safety of such memorials. While the police have not confirmed any specific motive, they have assured that the law will take its course. The district administration continues to monitor the situation to prevent any escalation.
