Amidst the celebrations of India’s 76th Republic Day, an occasion honouring the adoption of the Constitution authored by Dr BR Ambedkar, a shocking incident in Amritsar cast a shadow over the day’s significance. A man on Sunday vandalized a life-size statue of Dr Ambedkar, the chief architect of India’s Constitution, at a park near the Town Hall on Heritage Street. The act of desecration not only marred the celebratory spirit but also ignited widespread outrage across Punjab, triggering massive protests and political turmoil.
Eyewitnesses recounted the shocking moment when the accused, identified as Akash Singh, climbed a ladder positioned near the statue and struck it repeatedly with a hammer. His actions caused visible damage to the statue and a replica of the Constitution placed at its base, symbolically assaulting the values of equality and justice that Dr Ambedkar championed. The act, captured on video and widely circulated on social media, sparked immediate protests and drew sharp condemnation from political leaders and civil society alike.
Police swiftly arrested Akash Singh, who reportedly belongs to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community. He has been charged under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code for damaging public property and promoting enmity between communities. Akash’s family, however, distanced themselves from his actions, with his mother publicly condemning the act.
Statewide Protests and Bandh Calls
The incident sparked massive protests across Punjab, particularly in Dalit-dominated areas. In cities like Jalandhar and Ludhiana, Dalit organizations and local leaders called for state-wide bandhs, demanding immediate action against the accused and stricter measures to protect symbols of Dalit pride. Protesters blocked highways, raised slogans against the administration, and organized rallies to express their anguish. Markets and schools were shut in parts of these cities, as tensions escalated. In Amritsar, the statue was ceremonially cleaned with milk and water by Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla and former Minister Raj Kumar Verka, who criticized the AAP-led State Government for its failure to prevent such incidents.
Political Blame Game
The vandalism has led to a fierce political slugfest, with opposition parties accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government of negligence. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann condemned the act, terming it an attempt to disturb communal harmony. “This shameful act will not go unpunished. No one will be allowed to disrupt the peace and unity of Punjab,” Mann said.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal described the incident as a “heinous act that has hurt the sentiments of millions”, and demanded a high-level inquiry to unearth any conspiracy behind the vandalism. SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia also called for a high-level probe into what he described as a “premeditated conspiracy to incite divisions and disrupt peace in Punjab”. Majithia questioned the Amritsar Police Commissionerate's failure, particularly under Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, to prevent the incident despite heightened security on such a significant day. He demanded accountability and stern action against those responsible for the security lapse.
BJP leaders, including former Union Minister Vijay Sampla, blamed the AAP Government for failing to protect public monuments, with some leaders alleging a larger political motive behind the incident.
However, Sampla’s remarks linking the incident to the vicinity of the Golden Temple drew sharp criticism from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). The SGPC clarified that the statue’s location was unrelated to the Golden Temple and accused Sampla of unnecessarily dragging religious institutions into the controversy. Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan also condemned Sampla’s statement calling it “very unfortunate”, and “a clever ploy to create division between the Sikh and SC community; but the people of Punjab will not allow the BJP's plan of polarization to succeed”.
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) also criticized both the Congress and BJP, accusing them of exploiting Dr Ambedkar’s legacy for political gains. BSP supremo Mayawati called the incident a “grave insult to Babasaheb” and demanded strict punishment for the accused.
Dr Ambedkar’s statue holds immense significance for the Dalit community, symbolizing their struggle for social justice and equality. The desecration of such a monument has deepened caste-based tensions in the state. Protests saw a surge in demands for greater representation and respect for Dalit icons in Punjab’s political discourse.
The incident has also reignited discussions about the state’s socio-political fabric, as Punjab has historically been a melting pot of caste and religious identities. Political observers believed that the vandalism and subsequent turmoil could influence electoral narratives, especially with the growing prominence of Dalit-led movements in the state.
Govt Response
Punjab Government has deployed additional police forces in sensitive areas to maintain law and order. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, with authorities exploring whether the act was a deliberate attempt to incite communal discord. Chief Minister Mann has assured the public that the guilty will face exemplary punishment. Political leaders across party lines have called for calm, urging the citizens not to fall prey to divisive agendas. “Punjab’s peace is non-negotiable,” Mann emphasized in a public address.
Mann said that exemplary punishment will be ensured to a person who had tried to cause damage to the statue of Bharat Ratna Baba Sahib Dr BR Ambedkar. “It has bruised the psyche of everyone who respect Baba Sahib Ambedkar…The state government is fully vigilant and committed to crush the nefarious designs of anti-social and anti-national elements who try to create unrest in Punjab. Exemplary action will be taken against any person who tries to disturb the law and order situation in the State through such acts,” he said.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, strongly condemning the incident, said that the Punjab Government and Punjab Police are committed to bringing the culprits to justice and ensuring they face the law of the land to pay for their most dastardly act. “A thorough investigation is underway to identify and arrest the real conspirators behind this heinous crime. The accused has been arrested, and the Punjab government will ensure strict action against him. We will not rest until all the conspirators are brought to justice,” he added.
Punjab Speaker Sandhwan and Punjab Power and Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO also condemned the desecration of Dr Ambedkar’s statue.
