Telangana: Tension at Ambedkar statue as police block Kavitha

The BRS MLC stages a flash sit-in, forcing the police officials to allow her and a few others to pay tributes

Hyderabad: High drama unfolded at Necklace Road on Monday as police prevented BRS MLC K Kavitha and other leaders from paying tributes to the 125-foot statue of Dr BR Ambedkar and memorial here on his birth anniversary. She staged a flash sit-in, forcing the police officials to allow her and a few others to the statue.

Kavitha along with BRS leaders arrived at the Ambedkar statue at Necklace Road, only to be stopped by the police who informed her that she was not allowed to proceed to the first floor of the memorial where the statue is installed. A heated argument ensued following which Kavitha and her followers staged a flash sit-in protest at the entrance, raising slogans of ‘Jai Bhim’. Following a brief altercation, police relented and permitted Kavitha and a few others to proceed where they paid floral tributes.

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Speaking to mediapersons, the BRS leader lambasted the Congress government for deliberately ignoring the tallest Ambedkar statue.

“Revanth Reddy and his Cabinet avoided this statue for two years only because it was installed by former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao. That’s an insult to Dr Ambedkar,” she said. She also criticised the Chief Minister for not turning up despite the Cabinet’s visit after public pressure.

Earlier in the day, Kavitha also participated in Ambedkar birth anniversary celebrations at Dr Ambedkar’s statue near GVK Mall, where she was joined by Prof Suraj Yadav Mandal, grandson of BP Mandal. The two discussed the ongoing BC movement at her residence. Prof Mandal lauded Kavitha’s efforts for backward classes and women’s rights, especially her role in pushing the Women’s Reservation Bill. He announced his full support for her struggle, calling her a “strong voice for BC empowerment.