Hyderabad: World’s tallest Ambedkar statue finally opened for public

The Congress government had restricted public access to the site, citing various reasons. However, after sustained pressure from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), the State government reopened it to the general public on Monday.

Hyderabad: After being closed to the general public for over a year, the 125 feet statue of Father of Indian Constitution Dr BR Ambedkar next to the Secretariat was opened to people on Monday.

The Congress government had closed the place for public access citing different reasons. However, following the pressure exerted by Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), the State government provided access to general public on Monday.

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Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha paid floral tributes on the occasion of Dr BR Ambedkar’s birth anniversary.

Last year, the State government had closed the place for the public and did not make any arrangements, including floral and decorative lighting illumination at the statue, citing the election code of conduct. This triggered a uproar from different sections over the State Government’s priorities.

Interestingly, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday paid tributes at the Ambedkar Statue at Tank Bund but did not visit the 125 feet Statue next Secretariat, which is very close by.

The BRS has been demanding the Congress government to open the locks of Ambedkar memorial and permit general public to pay tributes to the architect of Indian Constitution.

BRS MLC K Kavitha had on Sunday reminded that former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao had taken up the initiative to built the world’s tallest statue of BR Ambedkar. It was formally opened on April 14, 2023 and drew many people, including tourists.

But the Congress government had locked the premises and it was inaccessible to general public.

The BRS MLC found fault with the Congress government for failing to offer a garland to the tall statue and pay floral tributes. “Just because of political differences, it is inappropriate to disrespect Dr Ambedkar’s legacy,” Kavitha had said.

Accordingly, the Deputy Chief Minister and couple of other Ministers visited the premises and paid tributes at the statue on Monday. They also inspected the art installations and works showcased by students in the gallery.

Though, people were facilitated free entry at the tallest statue of BR Ambedkar on Monday, there is no clarity on whether it would remain open for public from tomorrow onwards.

Actually, the government was planning to develop a museum at the premises. Accordingly, a team of officials had visited Nagpur and Vijayawada recently to study the arrangements, said an official from HMDA.

Regarding the premises remaining open to people, the official said there were no instructions from the government.

“We are hoping that a decision will be taken in the evening,” the official said, adding that in the wake of the Hyderabad Local Body MLC code, there was uncertainty.