Five Injured in Salem Clash Over Ambedkar Statue Installation, Eight Held for Rioting

Tension gripped Odhiyathur village near Salem after a dispute over the installation of a Dr B.R. Ambedkar statue turned violent, leaving five people injured and prompting police action, officials said on Sunday.

According to police, the unrest began late on Saturday when a section of local residents objected to the unveiling of a newly installed Ambedkar statue, citing concerns over its depiction of the Constitution architect in a seated posture with one leg crossed over the other . The disagreement soon escalated into a confrontation between two community groups.

To prevent the situation from spiralling into a law-and-order issue, local authorities temporarily covered the statue with tin sheets . However, another group opposed the move, removed the covering, and gathered at the site in protest.

The situation deteriorated further when officials returned to reseal the statue, triggering fresh protests against the administration's action. As the crowd turned aggressive and stone-pelting broke out, police used water cannons and carried out a mild lathi-charge to disperse the protesters and restore order.

Five protesters sustained injuries during the violence and were admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment. Their condition was not immediately known.

Police have since registered a case in connection with the incident and arrested eight people for their alleged involvement in the rioting. Further investigation is underway to identify others involved.

Security has been significantly strengthened in Odhiyathur village to prevent any further escalation, with authorities closely monitoring the situation to maintain peace and public order.