Clash between members of two communities on Thursday resulted in stone-pelting after a statue of former Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was vandalised by some individuals in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain district.
The incident occurred when a few people on tractors brought down a life-size idol of Patel, which the rival Patidar group had installed on Wednesday. According to the police, the accused were determined to install a statue of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, and the local panchayat was reportedly discussing this matter.
This increased tensions in the Makdone area, approximately 50 km from the district headquarters, prompted the deployment of heavy security. Following this, a clash broke out between the two groups on the spot. Upon receiving information about the incident, the police immediately reached the spot and talked to both parties.
Currently, the situation has been brought under control. Senior police officers, including the Superintendent of Police (SP) and Collector, were also present on the spot.
“A Sub-Inspector (SI) of Makdone police station, Lalchand Sharma, has sustained injuries in the incident, and he is undergoing treatment. Prima facie, Makdone station in charge Bhim Singh Deora has been suspended for serious negligence in the incident,” stated Guru Prasad Parashar, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP),as per ANI.
“The police forces have managed to bring peace in the area. The markets have opened and the traffic is normal. The police are currently conducting flag marches and area domination exercises. Six people are being questioned, including one whose tractor was seen in the video. We will take the strictest possible action against those who take law into their own hands,” Superintendent of Police (Ujjain) Sachin Sharma told The Indian Express.
The matter originated when a vacant space near Krishi Upaj Mandi was reported, and people from both groups demanded to install statues of two different great personalities there.
Nevertheless, someone installed the statue of Sardar Patel there on Wednesday night. Upon learning about this, people from the other community gathered at the spot on Thursday morning and demolished the idol by hitting it with a tractor. Subsequently, the matter escalated, and a clash erupted. Upon receiving information, the police immediately responded to the scene.
In response to the incident, Congress Chief Jitu Patwari stated, “In Ujjain, Sardar Patel’s statue was vandalized by a tractor, and similarly, Baba Saheb’s statue was also pelted with stones. Both acts are condemnable. I request CM Mohan Yadav to consider the contributions of both great men to the country’s independence and progress. One was the Iron Man of India, and the other was the greatest creator of the Constitution.”
“The government should take cognizance of the entire incident and ensure that the statues of both great personalities are installed at the right place. Sensitivity should remain in society,” he added.