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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Punjab government are facing severe backlash following the defacement of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s statue. On January 26, a 33-foot statue of the Dalit icon in Amritsar was vandalized in broad daylight, coincidentally on India’s Republic Day. The shocking act took place near a police station, where an unknown assailant used a hammer to damage the statue.
The incident has sparked outrage across the political spectrum. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sharply criticized AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of undermining the Dalit community. Sambit Patra, BJP spokesperson, condemned the act as “heart-wrenching” and lambasted the Punjab government for not taking action under Kejriwal’s leadership. He further claimed that Kejriwal has consistently displayed an “anti-Dalit” attitude, pointing to past failures in supporting Dalit causes. The BJP has firmly rejected AAP’s claims of Dalit advocacy, calling them disingenuous.
In response, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, along with other leaders, held a protest near Kejriwal’s residence, demanding both his resignation and a public apology. They also raised concerns about police negligence, alleging that Kejriwal might even stage self-inflicted attacks to garner sympathy ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections.
Other political figures have also been vocal in their criticism of the incident. Punjab Congress leaders, including MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla and senior leader Raj Kumar Verka, visited the site of the vandalism, strongly denouncing the attack. They called for an impartial investigation and stressed the importance of safeguarding the principles of justice and equality in the state.
The AAP government in Punjab is now under intense scrutiny. Opposition parties have accused it of failing to protect the statue of such a revered national figure, questioning its commitment to the Dalit community. This controversy has spurred protests from Dalit organizations, which are demanding swift justice and enhanced security for all Ambedkar statues across Punjab. The situation has been further complicated by Congress leader Ajay Maken’s allegations that AAP has links with Khalistani elements.
For those unfamiliar with the developments, it’s also worth noting that former AAP member and poet Kumar Vishwas had previously criticized Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of seeking support from Khalistani factions to further his political ambitions.
As the political storm surrounding Dr. Ambedkar’s desecration continues to brew, the opposition remains relentless in its attacks on AAP’s governance. The controversy, now igniting protests and debates, shows no signs of subsiding, with calls for immediate action to prevent future incidents of this nature.
Reference: https://www.oneindia.com/india/ambedkar-statue-desecrated-bjp-congress-slam-kejriwal-s-fake-dalit-love-accuse-aap-of-khalistani-4057423.html
