Outrage grows as the statue of the Constitution’s chief architect is damaged in Gonda’s Samarupur village
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – The recent vandalism of the statues of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, has sparked widespread protests in Uttar Pradesh. This latest incident, which took place on the night of November 16 in Gonda’s Samarupur village, marks the fifth such attack on Ambedkar statues in the state in the past two months, fuelling anger among the Dalit community and raising concerns over rising hate-driven incidents.
The statue, which had been a symbol of pride and equality for the local Dalit community for over 25 years, was damaged in the attack. Following the incident, protests erupted in the village, with local residents demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible and the reinstallation of the statue.
Deepak Gautam, an activist with the Bhim Army, a Dalit advocacy group, condemned the vandalism. “The incident of vandalism of the statue of the chief architect of the Indian Constitution is highly condemnable. We demand that the authorities take immediate action to prevent such incidents in the future,” he said. Gautam further emphasised that such attacks were not isolated, stating, “Feudal elements have repeatedly targeted the statues of Babasaheb, a symbol of equality and empowerment for our community. This is unacceptable.”
The vandalism sparked significant outrage on social media, with many calling for stronger government action to hold the perpetrators accountable and to protect the statues of Dalit icons. The protests in Gonda were led by members of the Dalit community, who expressed their frustration with the ongoing attacks on symbols of their self-respect and identity.
Opposition political parties have linked the incidents to the “politics of hate” under the rule of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh. Congress national secretary Shahnawaz Alam accused the ruling party of fostering an environment that enables such attacks. “This is not the first time Ambedkar’s statue has been targeted. In the last two months alone, five such incidents have been reported across the state,” Alam said.
“These acts are part of a larger agenda. Emboldened by the BJP’s divisive politics, feudal elements aim to crush the symbols and self-respect of Dalits. This is a deliberate attempt to send a message of oppression to society,” Alam added.
The growing number of attacks on Ambedkar statues has raised serious concerns within the Dalit community, with many fearing that such incidents reflect a broader societal shift towards discrimination and intolerance. As protests continue and demands for justice intensify, the pressure is mounting on the state government to act swiftly and ensure that those responsible for these acts of vandalism are held accountable.
The incident in Gonda is just the latest in a series of attacks that have targeted the legacy of Dr Ambedkar, a man who fought for the rights and dignity of Dalits and marginalised communities across India. His statues, long symbols of resistance and empowerment, are increasingly seen as targets in a wider battle for equality in the country.
