Ambedkar statue damaged in Rajasthan village, triggers protests

Tension prevailed in a village in Rajasthan’s Sirohi district after a statue of B. R. Ambedkar was found vandalised on Sunday morning, prompting protests by local residents.

According to police officials, the hand of the statue located in Khambal village was found damaged under unclear circumstances. The incident came to light early in the day, following which villagers gathered at the site in large numbers and staged a protest, demanding immediate action against those responsible.

Authorities said CCTV footage from nearby areas is being examined to identify the culprits. Police teams have been constituted and an investigation is underway. Senior officials assured that strict action would be taken once those involved are traced.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate Hari Singh Deval visited the spot to assess the situation and appealed for calm, stating that efforts were being made to ensure peace while the probe continues.

Members of the Dalit community expressed strong anger and anguish over the incident, calling it an insult to the legacy of Ambedkar, who is widely regarded as a champion of social justice and equality. Many protesters demanded swift arrests and enhanced security for statues of prominent leaders to prevent such incidents in the future. Local community leaders also voiced concern over repeated instances of vandalism of Ambedkar statues in different parts of the country, warning that failure to take prompt action could lead to wider protests.

Police said the situation remains under control, and efforts are ongoing to restore normalcy in the area.