Ambedkar Statue Desecrated: BJP-Congress Slam Kejriwal’s ‘Fake Dalit Love,’ Accuse AAP of Khalistani Links

The Punjab government and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are facing intense criticism over the desecration of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's statue. To recall, a 33-foot-tall statue of Dr. Ambedkar in Amritsar, Punjab, was vandalized in broad daylight on January 26, ironically, the day India celebrates as its Republic Day. The shocking incident took place near a police station, where an unidentified individual used a hammer to damage the statue.

The desecration has triggered widespread condemnation from various political parties and leaders. The Bharatiya Janata Party launched a scathing attack on AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of disrespecting the Dalit community. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra called the act "heart-wrenching" and slammed the Punjab government for its inaction under Kejriwal's leadership. He further accused Kejriwal of harboring an "anti-Dalit" stance, citing previous instances where he allegedly failed to uphold Dalit representation. BJP has outrightly dismissed AAP's claims of supporting Dalits, branding them as fake.

Subsequently, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, along with other party leaders, staged a protest near Kejriwal's residence in New Delhi, demanding his resignation and a public apology. They also questioned the role of the police, alleging negligence, and warned that Kejriwal might attempt to stage attacks on himself to gain sympathy ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections.

The incident has also drawn sharp criticism from other political quarters. Punjab Congress leaders, including MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla and senior leader Raj Kumar Verka, visited the vandalized site and strongly condemned the act. They called for a thorough investigation and emphasized the need to uphold the ideals of justice and equality.

The AAP government in Punjab is under fire from all sides. Opposition parties have accused it of failing to protect the statue of a national icon and questioned its sincerity toward the Dalit community. The outrage has led to protests from several Dalit organizations, demanding swift action against the culprits and security measures for all statues of Dr. Ambedkar across the state. Adding to AAP's woes, senior Congress leader Ajay Maken has also slammed Kejriwal, accusing AAP of having links with Khalistani elements.

Those who don't follow the news regularly would surprise to know that a former AAP member and renowned poet Kumar Vishwas also had earlier slammed Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of seeking Khalistani support to gain power.

The desecration of Dr. Ambedkar's statue has now turned into a full-blown political storm. With the opposition relentlessly questioning AAP's commitment to law and order and its treatment of Dalits, the controversy is unlikely to die down anytime soon. Protests continue to erupt, with demands for immediate action to ensure such incidents are not repeated in the future.