The recent vandalism of a statue of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, in Gonda’s Samarupur village has sparked widespread protests across Uttar Pradesh. This incident, which occurred on the night of November 16, marks the fifth attack on Ambedkar statues in the state over the last two months, intensifying concerns about rising hate-driven incidents targeting the Dalit community.
The Ambedkar statue, which had stood as a symbol of pride for the Dalit community in the village for over 25 years, was severely damaged in the attack. Following the incident, local Dalit residents organized protests, demanding immediate arrests and the reinstallation of the statue.
Deepak Gautam, an activist with the Bhim Army, a Dalit advocacy group, condemned the vandalism, calling it a direct assault on the values of equality and empowerment that Dr. Ambedkar fought for. “The incident of vandalizing the statue of the chief architect of the Indian Constitution is highly condemnable,” Gautam said. “Feudal elements have repeatedly targeted the statues of Babasaheb, a symbol of equality and empowerment for our community. This is unacceptable.”
Social media platforms were flooded with outrage as users condemned the attack and called on the state government to take strong action against the perpetrators. Many demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible and the swift reinstatement of the statue.
Opposition parties, particularly the Congress, have linked the attacks to the “politics of hate” under the BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh. Congress national secretary Shahnawaz Alam pointed out that this was not an isolated incident, highlighting that five similar attacks had been reported across the state in the past two months.
“These acts are part of a larger agenda,” Alam said. “Emboldened by the BJP’s divisive politics, feudal elements aim to crush the symbols and self-respect of Dalits. This is a deliberate attempt to send a message of oppression to society.”
The growing number of attacks on statues of Dr. Ambedkar, who fought tirelessly for the rights and dignity of Dalits and marginalized communities, has raised alarm within the Dalit community.
