Bengaluru: Dr. BR Ambedkar’s bust which had come up overnight in KR Market bus stand without anybody’s notice, will not be demolished, said the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
To the surprise of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), officials noticed the statue on December 6, following which they had reported about the same to the police. Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE), BBMP, HP Nagaraju of Kempegowda Nagar sub-division, in his complaint to the police stated that, unidentified men had broken railings of the spot and installed a statue in violation of 2012 order prohibiting installation of statues at public spaces without prior notice. But the police were unable to trace the people who installed the statue.
Following a protest by 100 Dalit activists belonging to Bahujan Samaj Party, Bahujan Maha Sabha and other organisations, at the Town Hall on Monday, City Mayor Gangambike Mallikarjun announced that the statue will not be demolished.
Gangambike said, “The statue was installed without taking approvals. But we will not remove it as it may hurt people’s sentiments.”
Protesters lead by Arun Prasad, a social activist and BSP leader in the city, claimed to have installed the statue without due permission due to paucity of time as they wanted it to be ready by December 6, the death anniversary of Ambedkar. Arun Prasad also submitted a memorandum to the office of G Parameshwara, Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister of Karnataka.
The protesters called off the protest after the Mayor announced that the statue will not be removed. Later they garlanded the statue.
Pic Courtesy: The News Minute
