The Jammu and Kashmir Police detained three men for questioning after the alleged desecration of the statue of B R Ambedkar in Kathua district’s Bani area.
The statue, set up in a public park in Bani, was found damaged on Sunday morning. As the news spread, locals, including members of the Dalit community, took to the streets and held a demonstration in protest against the incident.
Following a complaint about the desecration of the statue, local police registered an FIR under sections 196 (promoting hatred, disharmony, or enmity between different groups based on religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste, or community) and 324(2) (mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), officials said.
Congress leader and former minister Yashpal Kundal condemned the incident, saying that it was “not merely the destruction of stone and metal, but an assault on the self-respect of marginalised communities and the principles enshrined in the Constitution”.
Pointing out that Baba Saheb Ambedkar showed the path of equality and justice to the nation, Kundal said, “Targeting his statue is a direct attack on those very ideals, and such acts will not be tolerated.” He urged the administration to identify and punish the culprits, and also to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.
