Will Congress Launch a Campaign for Dr. Ambedkar's Statue at Gwalior HC?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Congress Campaign Dates: June 23-25.
- Objective: Demand for Dr. Ambedkar's statue installation.
- Public Engagement: Door-to-door outreach in Gwalior.
- Key Leaders: Jitu Patwari, Digvijaya Singh.
- Controversy Background: Initial approval followed by opposition.
Bhopal, June 17 (NationPress) The Madhya Pradesh Congress is set to embark on a three-day campaign starting June 23, advocating for the erection of a statue of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar at the Gwalior bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. This initiative has ignited significant controversy.
During a press conference, State Congress President Jitu Patwari disclosed that the campaign's objective is to rally public support in Gwalior for the statue's installation, which had previously received approval from the High Court registrar but was later stalled due to dissent from certain lawyers.
“On June 23, Congress leaders and volunteers will initiate a door-to-door campaign across Gwalior. The following day, June 24, we will engage with the community through discussions regarding this matter. The campaign will conclude on June 25 with a prolonged fast at the High Court premises,” Patwari stated.
Other notable figures at the press briefing included Madhya Pradesh Congress in-charge Harish Chaudhary, former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh, Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar, and senior leader Phool Singh Baraiya.
Harish Chaudhary criticized the BJP and RSS for opposing the statue installation, asserting that this campaign would reveal the individuals hindering the proposal. “We will bring this matter to the forefront and showcase those standing against Dr. Ambedkar’s principles,” he emphasized.
Former CM Digvijaya Singh raised questions about the rationale behind the opposition. “If a statue of Dr. Ambedkar can be placed at the Supreme Court, why is there resistance at the Madhya Pradesh High Court? The registrar had already given the green light. This controversy seems unwarranted,” Singh remarked, echoing similar sentiments during his recent visit to Gwalior.
The controversy originated in February when a proposal to install Dr. Ambedkar’s statue at the Gwalior bench was submitted and subsequently green-lit by a High Court committee. In March, however, a faction of lawyers opposed the move, leading to protests and clashes with supporters of the installation.
Tensions heightened when some opposing lawyers allegedly attempted to obstruct the proposed site by displaying the national flag there.
Although the registrar, Yuval Raghuvanshi, sanctioned the statue's installation, ongoing objections from a segment of the legal community prompted the decision to be suspended. Since that time, the Congress has persistently advocated for the statue's installation as initially intended.