Dalit activists protest demolition of Ambedkar statue platform in Siddipet village

Dalit activists in Velur village protested against R&B officials for demolishing a platform meant for a B R Ambedkar statue. Activists rebuilt the platform amid police presence, asserting their constitutional rights

Siddipet: Dalit activists staged a protest accusing Roads and Buildings (R&B) officials of demolishing a platform built for installing the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar at Velur village in Wargal mandal on Wednesday.

According to Dalit activists, members of the Dalit and backward class communities in the village had constructed a platform and pillars around it to install the statue a week ago. However, they alleged that R&B officials objected to it, stating that the land belonged to the department, though the location was about 50 feet away from the road.

The activists further alleged that Gouraram police had registered a case against 14 Dalits following a complaint from R&B officials and thwarted their efforts to install the statue. They also said that R&B officials removed the platform on Tuesday night amid police security.

The incident attracted criticism from Dalit activists across the district. A large number of Dalits arrived at the village and constructed another platform on Wednesday amid police security.

Speaking on the occasion, Dalit Bahujan Front (DBF) secretary Shankar said that they would not tolerate any attempt to create obstacles in their efforts. He said they would certainly confront those who tried to prevent them from installing the statue.

Shankar said they had every right to install the statue of Dr B R Ambedkar and maintained that they did not require permission from anyone to do so, as Ambedkar was the principal architect of the Indian Constitution.