Statue of Freedom Fighter Sangolli Rayanna Defaced in Belagavi Village
Tension gripped Macche village in Belagavi taluk from late Thursday night after residents discovered a black liquid substance smeared on the statue of revered freedom fighter Sangolli Rayanna. The incident prompted immediate police action and widespread condemnation from local communities.
Police Response and Investigation
Belagavi police swiftly deployed additional personnel in and around the area as a precautionary measure following alerts from concerned residents. Senior officials, including City Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase and DCP Narayan Baramani, visited the site to conduct a thorough inspection.
Commissioner Borase confirmed that a formal complaint was registered and an investigation is actively underway. Authorities have not yet determined whether the substance was deliberately poured as black oil or if it originated as liquid residue from a tree adjacent to the statue.
Forensic samples were collected from the statue and sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for detailed analysis. Meanwhile, the statue was cleaned promptly, and police are examining CCTV footage from a camera located approximately 10 meters away. A case has been officially registered at the Belagavi Rural Police Station.
Community Outrage and Historical Context
The defacement drew strong condemnation from various Kannada organizations. Deepak Gudaganatti, district President of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (Narayana Gowda faction), demanded immediate action against the perpetrators and warned of potential protests if the culprits are not swiftly identified.
A large crowd of local residents gathered at the site, expressing shock and anger. Many noted that the statue, installed about three years ago, had never experienced such an incident before. The timing is particularly sensitive, coinciding with Chhatrapati Shivaji Jayanti, and given Macche's linguistic sensitivities, police are exploring all possible angles in their probe.
Statue Details and Location
The statue in question is a 5-foot-tall standing figure of Sangolli Rayanna, crafted in black color. It was established under a tree locally known as 'basari gida' and is situated directly in front of the local town panchayat office, making it a prominent landmark in the village.
As the investigation continues, authorities remain vigilant to prevent any escalation of tensions in the area.
