The protective glass enclosure around the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar at Jalandhar Bypass Chowk in Ludhiana was damaged again on Friday morning, October 30. The incident was reported around 6:57 am and led to renewed concerns over the security of the statue, which has witnessed repeated incidents of damage and alleged disrespect in recent months.
According to the police, a 45-year-old woman, identified as Manu, was taken into custody in connection with the incident. Station House Officer Jasvir Singh said the woman was reportedly not mentally fit. The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the damage.
CCTV footage examined, woman taken into custody
Police reached the spot after receiving information about the damaged glass enclosure. Reports said CCTV footage from cameras installed around the chowk showed a woman allegedly throwing a stone at the protective glass.
The woman was subsequently identified and taken into custody for questioning. Police are looking into the motive behind the incident and whether anyone else was involved. No motive has been officially established so far.
July incident had triggered BSP protest
This is not the first time the protective enclosure around Dr Ambedkar’s statue has been damaged. On July 14, the glass enclosure was found broken, with a stone reportedly recovered near the spot. Members of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) staged a protest and demanded the arrest of those responsible.
Police had examined CCTV footage from the area as part of their investigation. The incident had also raised concerns about the protection of the statue.
Shoe garland incident sparked widespread resentment in September
On September 8, an unidentified person allegedly placed a garland of shoes around the statue, triggering widespread anger among members of the Valmiki community.
Protesters gathered at Jalandhar Bypass Chowk and blocked the road, demanding the identification and arrest of the person responsible. The incident also led to protests and a shutdown call in Ludhiana, with demonstrators questioning the security arrangements at the site.
Delegation sought stronger security measures
On September 29, a delegation of Dr Ambedkar Ekta Mission Punjab submitted a memorandum to Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain, seeking improved security and maintenance of the statue and the surrounding park.
The suggestions included installing high-definition CCTV cameras and solar lights, increasing the height of protective grills, and providing bulletproof glass protection around the statue. The delegation also sought the appointment of a permanent gardener to maintain the park. The Deputy Commissioner assured the delegation that the administration would take necessary action.
Repeated incidents bring statue security into focus
Friday’s incident has once again brought the security of the statue at Jalandhar Bypass Chowk under scrutiny. Despite earlier protests, demands for better protection and the installation of CCTV cameras, the enclosure has reportedly been damaged again.
The police investigation is now focused on establishing the circumstances and motive behind the latest incident.
