Late at night, a group protested against the Chief Minister, pulling down a wall under construction around the Ambedkar statue. They suspected it was meant to obscure visibility during significant commemorative events, like birth and death anniversaries
Published Oct 23, 2024 | 2:45 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 23, 2024 | 4:46 PM
Dalit activists tear down wall around Ambedkar statue on Tank Bund
Tank Bund, the go-to place in Hyderabad – witnessed protests on Tuesday, disturbing the pleasant evening. The cause was the erection of a parapet wall around Dr BR Ambedkar’s statue close to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Office.
Hordes of Dalit activists, raising slogans against the state government, swooped on the location and dismantled the parapet wall under construction around the statue. The Dalit activists were angry with the government for the construction of the wall as they believed it was intended to hide the statue from the public view.
The late night drama unfolded as a group of individuals reached the site, raising slogans against the Chief Minister. They then pulled down the wall under construction. They suspected that there was a sinister motive behind the construction of the parapet wall. One of the Dalit activists said the idea seemed to prevent visibility of the statue on important occasions like the towering leaders’ birth and death anniversaries when people from all sections of society pay their respects.
They feared that the wall would prevent people from getting close to the statue to pay their respects. Learning about the trouble brewing on Tank bund, the police arrived in strength and brought the situation under control by detaining some of the activists.
In a late night message on X, the GHMC said, on the contrary, it was intended to elevate the look of the statue. The GHMC said: As part of ongoing efforts to enhance key junctions across the city, GHMC is developing several projects. This development includes a prestigious project near its head office(at tank bund) to honour Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. This development features a replica of the Parliament building, symbolising Ambedkar’s immense contributions to the Constitution of India and parliamentary democracy, as well as showcasing the core values he championed. This initiative pays homage to his enduring legacy.”
“As part of ongoing efforts to enhance key junctions across the city, GHMC is developing several projects. This development includes a prestigious project near its head office(at tank bund) to honor Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. This development features a replica of the Parliament… pic.twitter.com/COfAE3oOHq
— GHMC (@GHMCOnline) October 22, 2024
But the BRS was not kind to the action of the GHMC in erecting a parapet wall. Said BRS Leader Krishank on X, “Dr BR Ambedkar Statue at Tank Bund has been a centre for thousands of peaceful and democratic protests. The Congress Government has constructed a Wall to Block the front side which was also Entrance. Is this Congress’s Democracy and respect to Babasaheb Ambedkar?”
Dr BR Ambedkar Statue at Tankbund has been a centre for thousands of peaceful and democratic protests.
Congress Government has constructed a Wall to Block the front side which was also Entrance..Is this Congress’s Democracy and respect to Babasaheb Ambedkar @RahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/kCn4WLXzTk
— Krishank (@Krishank_BRS) October 22, 2024
In another post, he said: “Ambedkar Statue at Tank Bund has been Home for Telangana Movement, peaceful protests by SCs, ST, OBCs, students, women, and political parties. Now with this Wall in front of the statue, your right to protest is blocked. Is this Congress Government’s democracy?” he asked.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
