Punjab CM Assures Of Strict Action After Outrage Over Vandalism Of Ambedkar’s Statue In Amritsar

Amritsar: Condemning the vandalism of the life-size statue of Dr BR Ambedkar on Republic Day by a youngster on Heritage Street in Amritsar, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday assured of strict action against the accused.

“The incident of breaking the statue of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar ji on Heritage Street of Amritsar is highly condemnable and no one will be forgiven for this incident. Whoever is responsible, he/she will be severely punished. No one will be allowed to break the brotherhood and unity of Punjab. Instructions have been issued to the administration to investigate it and take strict action against the culprits,” Mann posted on X.

Police had arrested the accused youth soon after he climbed atop the statue using a ladder. The youngster, Akash Singh of Dharamkot in Moga district, caused damage to the statue and the sculpture of the Constitution book.

Accused belongs to SC community: Police

According to Punjab Police, Akash Singh belongs to the Scheduled Caste. After this incident, irked members of Dalit organisations gathered at the site and shouted slogans against the police. The Dalit organisations had also called for Amritsar Bandh on Monday.

“Today, a mischievous element attempted to damage the statue of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar at Town Hall. Acting swiftly, police registered an FIR and arrested the accused. If any other person is found to be involved in this case, they will not be spared. Further investigation is on,” Additional deputy commissioner of police (ADCP), City-1, Vishaljit Singh told India Today.

Meanwhile, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) took strong note of former Union minister and BJP leader Vijay Sampla’s remark regarding the incident.

In a social media post in Hindi, Sampla said the statue was situated in the ‘galliara (open walled space/corridor)’ leading to Sri Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple). “Since this incident took place in the galliara of Sri Harmandar Sahib, the SGPC and Akal Takht jathedar should also issue a clarification,” he wrote.

Partap Singh, the secretary of the gurdwara body which manages affairs of the Sikh shrine, claimed the statue was not situated in the galliara of Sri Harmandar Sahib. According to Singh, it was totally unfair for Sampla to link this incident to the Harmandar Sahib galliara.”

Shiromani Akali Dal leader and former deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal also condemned the incident, urging all to stand united against such vile attempts to create divisions in the society.