A statue of Russian revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin was allegedly vandalised and subsequently removed from a public junction in Jiaganj, Murshidabad, triggering a political controversy between the CPI(M) and the BJP. The CPI(M) has accused the police of failing to take action despite a written complaint, while the BJP has denied any involvement in the incident.
According to the CPI(M), the statue stood at a three-way junction in front of Sripat Singh College in Jiaganj. It was reportedly vandalised a few days ago. At the time, claims also emerged that a statue of Maratha ruler Shivaji would be installed at the same location.
The damaged Lenin statue initially remained on its pedestal. However, party members later found that it had disappeared. It was reportedly removed on Wednesday night, and its present whereabouts are unknown.
The CPI(M) has alleged that individuals backed by the BJP were responsible for vandalising the statue. The party has also questioned who removed it under the cover of darkness and where it was taken. A local CPI(M) leader alleged that the people involved in the vandalism were also responsible for its subsequent removal.
The party said it had submitted a written complaint to Jiaganj police station, seeking action against those responsible. However, CPI(M) leaders alleged that three days after the complaint, no arrests had been made and no effective action had been taken.
The BJP has categorically rejected the allegations, maintaining that vandalism is not part of its political culture and that it does not believe in the politics of destruction.
