Daijiworld Media Network - Indore

Indore, May 8: In a deeply disturbing incident that has sparked outrage in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district, unidentified individuals allegedly removed a statue of Dr B. R. Ambedkar on Wednesday evening, prompting swift protests and heightened tensions in the region.

The statue, located in a village along the Indore-Ahmedabad National Highway, was reportedly dismantled by miscreants in an act caught on nearby CCTV cameras, according to police sources. In an attempt to quell unrest, the local gram panchayat quickly installed a replacement. However, in a brazen repeat, the new statue was also removed within hours.

The repeated desecration of the monument enraged members of the Bhim Army, who gathered at the site Thursday, raising slogans in honour of Ambedkar and demanding immediate action. “This is not a random act — it’s a deliberate attempt to insult Babasaheb and hurt the sentiments of millions who revere him,” said Jagdish Davar, a local Bhim Army representative.

As tensions mounted, local authorities deployed police and district officials to maintain order. By Thursday afternoon, another statue was reinstalled, this time in the presence of village leaders and law enforcement.

“The situation is currently under control,” confirmed Sunil Sharma, officer-in-charge of the local police station. “We’ve registered a case against unknown individuals, and we’re reviewing CCTV footage to identify the culprits. Strict action will be taken.”

Unfortunately, such incidents appear to be part of a disturbing trend in Madhya Pradesh. Last month in Sidhi district, a statue of Ambedkar was defaced with paint. On March 13, another statue was stolen from Bari village in Chhatarpur district.

Authorities have urged the public to maintain peace and assured swift justice. However, the back-to-back desecration in Dhar has once again highlighted the growing need for vigilance and respect around symbols of India’s social justice pioneers.