On the 76th Republic Day, a man vandalised a life-size statue of Dr. B R Ambedkar in Punjab’s Amritsar by climbing atop it with a steel ladder and striking it with a hammer. A video of the incident, widely shared on social media, sparked outrage.
Punjab Police quickly arrested the accused, a resident of Moga district, and initiated an investigation. Punjab Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh stated that authorities are probing the incident to identify the “real conspirator” behind the act.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann condemned the desecration and assured strict action. “No one will be allowed to disrupt Punjab’s unity and brotherhood,” he said, adding that the matter is being taken seriously.
The incident, however, ignited political backlash, with BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra launching a scathing attack on the AAP-led Punjab government. “The tallest Ambedkar statue in Amritsar, situated in front of a police station, was desecrated under AAP’s watch. How did the accused manage to bring and use the ladder without being stopped?” Patra questioned.
He further demanded an apology from AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, alleging the incident could not have occurred without his knowledge. “Kejriwal should go to Amritsar, apologise in front of the Ambedkar statue, and resign,” Patra added.
The incident has triggered widespread condemnation, with calls for accountability and stricter measures to protect public monuments of national significance. Police continue to investigate the case to uncover the full details.