LUDHIANA: A 45-year-old woman was arrested on Friday morning for allegedly smashing the glass enclosure of a statue of Dr B.R. Ambedkar at Jalandhar Bypass Chowk in Ludhiana. The incident, which occurred around 6:57 am, marks the latest in a series of damages and acts of alleged disrespect towards the monument, raising renewed concerns about its security and upkeep.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the woman, identified as Manu, was taken into custody. Police officials indicated that the woman was reportedly not mentally fit. This arrest follows a pattern of incidents that have troubled the Jalandhar Bypass Chowk monument, which is dedicated to the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.
The statue has been the subject of controversy on multiple occasions in recent months. On July 14, the glass enclosure was found broken, with a stone recovered nearby suggesting it might have been used to damage the protective pane. This incident had prompted members of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) to protest and demand action against those responsible. Police had subsequently reviewed CCTV footage from the vicinity to identify perpetrators.
Further incidents continued to escalate tensions in the area. On September 8, an unidentified individual allegedly placed a garland of shoes around Dr Ambedkar’s statue. This act deeply angered members of the Valmiki community, who staged a significant protest and blocked the Jalandhar Bypass. Demonstrators alleged that a previous incident involving damage to the statue’s outer frame had also gone unresolved, fueling their frustration over the perceived lack of effective security measures.
The September controversy led to calls for a shutdown and intensified protests, with demonstrators demanding the swift arrest of those involved and highlighting the inadequacy of security arrangements at the site. In response to the growing concerns, a delegation from the Dr Ambedkar Ekta Mission Punjab met with the Deputy Commissioner, Himanshu Jain, on September 29. During the meeting, they submitted a memorandum outlining several suggestions for enhancing the statue’s security and the park’s maintenance. These proposals included the installation of high-definition CCTV cameras, the provision of solar lighting, increasing the height of protective grills, and the installation of bulletproof glass around the statue.
Despite these appeals and previous interventions, Friday’s incident underscores the persistent vulnerability of the statue. The repeated damages and acts of disrespect have drawn considerable attention from various community groups and political parties, all calling for more robust protection measures. The authorities have stated that investigations are ongoing to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding each incident and to ensure the sanctity of the memorial is preserved.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
The Chenab Times News Desk
