Tension grips Ashoknagar after Ambedkar’s statue vandalised

Bhopal: Tension gripped the Ashoknagar area after the statue of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar was vandalized late Tuesday night.
Unidentified miscreants defaced the statue by smearing black paint on its face at Ambedkar Park, triggering widespread outrage and protests across the town.
As word of the incident spread, a large crowd gathered at the site and cleaned the statue. However, public anger escalated quickly. Protesters raised slogans, blocked roads, and staged a sit-in, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible.
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) announced a protest scheduled for May 2, condemning the rising number of such acts targeting statues of Dr Ambedkar.
Police confirmed that an FIR had been registered. Three police teams have been formed, and CCTV footage from the past 72 hours is being reviewed as part of the investigation.
Despite initial police assurances, protesters moved from the park to the police station, continuing their demonstration until the FIR was formally registered and officials promised strict action.
BSP District President Mukesh Ahirwar told local media that there have been two to three similar incidents in the district recently. In one such case on April 19, the hand of Dr Ambedkar's statue was found broken in Kurvasa village under the Chanderi police station limits. Villagers had immediately informed authorities and staged a demonstration demanding justice.
The Congress party also staged a dharna at Ambedkar Park in Ashoknagar, condemning the defacement. The protest lasted about an hour, after which party representatives submitted a memorandum to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), calling for swift and strict action against those responsible.