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Strongly condemning the "desecration" of Dr BR Ambedkar's statue in Amritsar, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday demanded an "immediate and unconditional apology" from the ruling AAP Government of Punjab for "failing" to safeguard the legacy of the Father of the Indian Constitution.
A youth has vandalised the life-size statue of Ambedkar in Amritsar by climbing atop it and striking it with a hammer on Republic Day on Sunday. A video clip purportedly of the incident also went viral on social media. "It is deeply disheartening and outrageous that the sanctity and respect for Dr BR Ambedkar, a beacon of social justice, are being trampled upon under the current dispensation," Kharge said in a post on X. He futher criticized the Punjab government for using Ambedkar's name for political gains while neglecting his values. "The issue surrounding the desecration of Ambedkar's statue in Punjab is a stark reminder of how hollow the promises of equality and social inclusion are under the present regime," said Kharge. "The Government of Punjab leaves no opportunity to use Dr Ambedkar's name and photograph for its politics and for seeking votes, while when it comes to protecting his values and vision, the Government has failed miserably," read the post. On Monday, Punjab Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said that the accused in the matter has been taken into custody and the police are investigating to nab the real conspirator. Kharge further said, "Earlier, the treatment meted out to the statue of Dr Ambedkar in the Parliament complex is nothing less than shocking. It is a matter of great shame that the statue, which once occupied a prominent and respectful place within the Parliament premises, has now been relegated to a corner, as if to diminish the stature of the man who laid the foundation of modern India." "We have already demanded that Dr. Ambedkar's statue in the Parliament premises must be restored to its rightful and prominent place. This decision, made without any regard for the historical and emotional significance of the statue, speaks volumes about the Union Government's apathy toward honouring the legacy of one of India's greatest visionaries", read the post further. "By failing to protect his statues across the country, the governments, both Union and state, are sending a clear and dangerous message--that it neither values his contributions nor respects the principles he stood for," said Kharge. Further, highlighting Ambedkar's unparalleled contributions to the nation, Kharge emphasized the need for all governments to uphold the principles of justice, equality, and fraternity "Dr Ambedkar's contributions to this nation are unparalleled. His relentless fight for the rights of the oppressed, his drafting of the Constitution that guarantees equality to every citizen, and his vision for an inclusive India deserve nothing less than the highest regard," said Kharge. "We demand an immediate and unconditional apology from the Government of Punjab for the neglect and mistreatment of Dr Ambedkar's statues in the holy city of Amritsar. We also demand that strict action, without fail, must be taken against the perpetrators of this act. Otherwise, the nation would be forced to think that both the Union Government and the Government of Punjab promoting such vandalism," Kharge added. "The Congress party stands firm in its commitment to protecting and upholding the legacy of Dr. Ambedkar. We will continue to fight against any attempt to undermine his contributions and the ideals enshrined in our Constitution. It is our collective duty as a nation to ensure that his memory and message remain eternal and undiminished," Kharge said. (ANI)
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