Heavy police deployment at village in TN’s Salem after Ambedkar statue row turns violent

Salem (Tamil Nadu), July 12 (IANS) Heavy police deployment continues in Odiyathur village near Gangavalli in Tamil Nadu’s Salem district after a long-running dispute over an Ambedkar statue erupted into violence following its sudden unveiling, leaving six people, including three police personnel, injured.

More than 100 police personnel have been stationed in the area to prevent any further deterioration of the law and order situation after rival groups clashed over the statue at the Four Roads roundabout in Odiyathur panchayat. Senior revenue and police officials are closely monitoring the situation.

The controversy dates back to 2020, when a group installed a seated statue of Dr B.R. Ambedkar at the junction. The statue depicts the architect of the Indian Constitution seated with one leg crossed over the other.

However, another section of the local community objected to the installation and unveiling of the statue at the site.

When attempts were made to inaugurate the statue in 2021, the then Tahsildar Venkatesan, along with revenue officials and police, intervened and directed that the statue should remain covered until a mutually acceptable solution was reached through official discussions. As a result, the statue remained wrapped in cloth for nearly five years without being formally unveiled.

The issue resurfaced on Saturday after the covering over the Ambedkar statue was unexpectedly removed. The development triggered immediate protests from one group, which demanded that the statue be covered again until legal and administrative issues were resolved.

Another group opposed any attempt to conceal the statue once more, leading to a tense stand-off.

Revenue authorities later convened a peace meeting at the Attur Assistant Collector’s office with representatives of both groups.

Assistant Collector Tamilmani said the Ambedkar statue could be formally unveiled only after obtaining the necessary court permission. To maintain peace, he announced that three nearby statues, including those of K. Kamaraj and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, would also be temporarily covered with the assistance of the Revenue Department.

Later on Saturday night, Assistant Collector Tamilmani and Salem Superintendent of Police Kuthalingam visited the site to supervise the temporary enclosure of the statues using metal sheets.

As officials began the work around 9 p.m., fresh arguments broke out between police and members of a political group demanding that the Ambedkar statue remain uncovered. Police used water cannons from a Fire and Rescue Services vehicle to disperse the crowd after the situation turned confrontational.

During the clash, three police personnel, including a woman police officer, and three women from one of the protesting groups sustained minor injuries. All six were admitted to the Gangavalli Government Hospital for treatment.

Police continue to maintain a strong security presence in the village to prevent any further unrest.

–IANS

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