Statue defacement: Valmik bodies burn Pannun's effigy
The issue of the vandalisation of the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar at Nangal village in Phillaur does not seem to be settling as leaders and various organisations continue to demand arrest of the accused.
Members of Valmik organisations burnt the statue of Gurpatwant Pannun of the Sikhs for Justice after he had reportedly taken the onus for the defacement of the statue yesterday. They also held a demonstration at Jyoti Chowk on Tuesday.
Congress Adampur MLA Sukhwinder Kotli and Ravidassia leader Jassi Talhan led a delegation that met SSP, Jalandhar Rural, Gurmeet Singh, demanding that those who who defaced the statue of Dr Ambedkar be arrested. A spray paint was used by some unknown elements after which an FIR was lodged yesterday by the Phillaur police against Pannun and one unknown person for hurting religious sentiments.
Former Union MoS Som Parkash has also said the attempt to desecrate the statue of Dr Ambedkar was being made to create instability by certain anti-social elements, who need to be dealt with a firm hand.
Former Union MoS Vijay Sampla also released a video wherein he said, “I will guard the statue of the Father of Constitution at Nangal village on April 14, desecrated by the SFJ. I dare Pannun to come and get it removed." He said this as Pannun is learnt to have threatened to remove all statues of Dr Ambedkar on April 14 on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti.
Sampla said Ambedkar is the creator of the Constitution that has given the Dalit a level-playing field and granted them equal opportunities in all spheres of life. "Dr Ambedkar ensured social justice for all and protected the rights of every citizen. While providing legal equality, Ambedkar ensured through the Constitution that there should be no discrimination based on religion, race, caste, economic status, gender or place of birth", Sampla said.
Sampla demanded that the police should also register an FIR against Pannun under the SC/ST Act for belittling Guru Ravidas and Dr Ambedkar in his speech. He also demanded that Pannun be extradited from the US and brought to India for subjecting him to trial.
Action sought against accused
Hoshiarpur:
Dalit Chetna Manch members, led by Sahil Sampla, burnt the effigy of Khalistani Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in protest against the desecration of Baba Saheb Dr BR Ambedkar's statue.
Addressing protesters outside the District Administrative Complex, Sampla said, "We will sit near Ambedkar's statue and wait for Pannun or Khalistan supporters to come and see if they have the courage to do so," said he.
A memorandum was submitted to ADC Rahul Chaba by Sahil Sampla along with DS Bagi, Dr Raman Ghai, Manoj Sharma and Dr Pankaj Sharma. Through the memorandum, a request was made to President Draupadi Murmu that the incident had caused anger in the Dalit community and religious sentiments had also been hurt. He demanded that the culprits should be identified as soon as possible and action should be taken against them.
Anger over vandalism
Phagwara: Leaders from various political, social and religious organizations, along with members of the Dalit community, expressed resentment over the incident and called for swift action against those responsible.
The act has drawn a sharp criticism from BJP SC Morcha president Sucha Ram Ladhar, former Union Minister Som Parkash, Phagwara MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal, MP Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal, AAP halka incharge Joginder Singh Maan and national farmer leader Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal.
They have denounced the defacement of Ambedkar’s statue, considering it an attack on his legacy and the values of social justice and equality he championed.
Grewal issued a statement, condemning the incident and attributing it to extremist elements allegedly backed by foreign forces. He criticised Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and Jaswinder Singh Dhaliwal for their remarks against Dr Ambedkar, labelling their action as an insult to India’s unity and its Dalit community.
