Ambedkar statues vandalised in Unnao and Etawah; protests force installation of new idols
Two statues of B.R. Ambedkar were vandalised by unidentified persons in separate villages of Uttar Pradesh late Tuesday night, triggering protests by local residents, mostly Dalits, on Wednesday. The incidents took place in Hasnapur village under Soharamau police station in Unnao district and Chandpur village in Etawah district.
Protesters, demanding immediate action against the culprits, staged sit-ins at both locations. In response, the district administration installed new statues at both sites to pacify the demonstrators. Officials said the situation was now calm and police personnel have been deployed as a precautionary measure.
The Unnao police, in a statement, said, “The statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar Ji has been vandalised by miscreants in village Hasnapur. The Sohramau police force is present at the scene. A new statue has been installed. Based on the complaint received, a case has been registered under relevant sections and necessary legal action is being taken.” Similarly, the Chandpur police confirmed the installation of a new statue and said the situation was “normal and peaceful”.
The Opposition Congress condemned the incidents and accused the state government of failing to protect Dalit rights. Senior Uttar Pradesh Congress leader Ajay Kumar Lallu alleged that the vandalism was “an organised design to humiliate the Dalit community”. He further claimed, “After the BJP came to power in U.P., feudal elements got emboldened. By vandalising Ambedkar’s statue, a signal is being sent by feudal forces to Dalits about them being second-class citizens.”
B.R. Ambedkar, a jurist, social reformer, and the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, remains a revered figure for Dalit communities across the country. The desecration of his statues is a recurring issue in various states, and such incidents have often led to large-scale protests and tensions.
Authorities have registered cases under relevant legal provisions at both police stations. Investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the accused. Meanwhile, local leaders and community members have appealed for calm and urged the administration to ensure the protection of such monuments.
This incident comes amid ongoing debates about caste discrimination and the need for stricter laws to prevent attacks on symbols of social justice. The Uttar Pradesh government has not yet issued an official comment on the allegations made by the Congress.
