Protests turned violent in Parbhani, Maharashtra after an unidentified person damaged a replica of the Constitution held by the statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar. The agitators demanded strict punishment for those responsible and the police had to use tear gas shells to control the crowd. Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi president Prakash Ambedkar showed his support for the protesters and warned of consequences if the miscreants were not arrested within 24 hours. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju accused the Congress of diverting attention from the George Soros controversy by attacking Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar.
Statue of Equality Vandalism Stirs Protests in Parbhani
The city of Parbhani, Maharashtra, erupted in protests on February 10, 2023, after an unidentified individual damaged a replica of the Constitution held by the statue of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution.
Background:
The Statue of Equality is a towering monument located in Parbhani, dedicated to Dr. Ambedkar. The statue, with a height of 382 feet, is built to symbolize his immense contribution to Indian society and the struggle for equality.
Incident:
The incident occurred when an unknown person approached the statue on Friday evening and allegedly broke the replica of the Constitution. The act sparked outrage among the Dalit community and other supporters of Dr. Ambedkar.
Protests and Consequences:
Angry protesters gathered at the site of the statue, demanding strict punishment for the perpetrators. The police were forced to use tear gas shells to disperse the crowd and prevent violence. The Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) president, Prakash Ambedkar, expressed his support for the protesters and threatened consequences if the accused were not arrested within 24 hours.
Political Reactions:
The incident has drawn political reactions. Minister of State for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju accused the Congress party of trying to divert attention from the George Soros controversy by attacking Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers:
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was an Indian social reformer, politician, and jurist who played a crucial role in the drafting of the Indian Constitution. He advocated for the rights of Dalits and other marginalized communities.
The replica of the Constitution symbolizes Dr. Ambedkar's legacy and his efforts to create a just and equal society.
The protesters were angered by the disrespect shown to Dr. Ambedkar and his work, which is considered sacred by many in the Dalit community.
The police are investigating the incident and have not yet made any arrests.
The protests have raised concerns about the safety and respect for Dalit symbols and could lead to further social unrest if not handled with sensitivity.
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