In a massive protest against the desecration of Dr BR Ambedkar’s statue in Amritsar on Republic Day, the dalit organizations across Punjab on Tuesday staged widespread demonstrations in four major districts — Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, and Moga — calling for justice and the invocation of the National Security Act (NSA) against the accused. The protests came in the wake of an incident on January 26, when a young man, later identified as Akashdeep, allegedly damaged the statue of Dr Ambedkar and desecrated the Constitution book at the Heritage Street in Amritsar.
The violence led to a blockade of the Amritsar-Delhi Highway by Dalit protesters in Ludhiana, and the closure of shops and markets in Jalandhar and Ludhiana. In Ludhiana, demonstrators forced shopkeepers in the Ghanta Ghar Market to shut their doors, and a march was held to submit a memorandum to the District Commissioner. The protest also saw shops being closed in Jalandhar in solidarity.
The Dalit groups have strongly demanded that the accused be charged under the NSA for his actions, which they argue were aimed at inciting communal tensions.
Meanwhile, the Punjab BJP held silent protests across the State, covering their mouths with cloth, in solidarity with the Dalit community. BJP leaders, including from Mohali and Jalandhar, participated in the protests, highlighting their concerns over rising incidents of intolerance.
The controversy erupted when Akashdeep, a 12th-grade student from Moga, climbed Dr Ambedkar’s statue on Republic Day and smashed it with a hammer. Security guards attempted to intervene, and the accused was detained. After his release, the incident led to large-scale protests by Dalit organizations in Amritsar and surrounding regions on January 27. In the wake of the protest, shops in Hall Gate and Wall City Market were shut in Amritsar, and Bhundari Bridge was blocked, creating traffic jams.
Akashdeep, who had returned from Dubai three months prior to the incident, has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses under the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita. The police have not yet determined his motive for desecrating the statue. Akashdeep’s questioning is expected to shed light on the reasons behind his actions, with further investigation set for January 30.
Punjab’s Cabinet Minister Aman Arora has reiterated that Punjab, a land of saints and mystics, will never allow divisive forces to succeed. He emphasized that the people of Punjab will stand united in the face of such attempts to sow hatred, and the state government will continue to ensure harmony and peace among its people.
Ambedkar Statue Desecration: Protests Erupts in Punjab; NSA Demanded Against Accused
Wednesday, 29 January 2025 | PNS
| Chandigarh
Ambedkar Statue Desecration: Protests Erupts in Punjab; NSA Demanded Against Accused
Wednesday, 29 January 2025 | PNS | Chandigarh