Ghaziabad: Ambedkar Statue Vandalism Ignites Major Protest and Road Blockade in Loni
In a disturbing incident that has sparked widespread outrage, a damaged statue of Bhimrao Ambedkar and torn posters triggered hours of intense tension in the Loni Border area of Ghaziabad on Sunday. The situation escalated rapidly as more than 500 people took to the streets, blocking the crucial Delhi-Saharanpur Road to demand swift arrests of those responsible for the acts of vandalism.
Protest Erupts Over Vandalism of Ambedkar Posters and Statue
The protest began early on Sunday after residents discovered that Ambedkar posters, which had been displayed at Mangal Bazar, were torn late on Saturday night. Shortly thereafter, the community received further distressing news: an Ambedkar statue located near Shani Mandir on the service road in Indrapuri had also been damaged. As word of these incidents spread rapidly through the area, a large and agitated crowd gathered at the site, leading to significant traffic disruptions on the key arterial road for several hours.
Satyaveer Singh, who lodged an official complaint with the authorities, provided details about the events. He stated that witnesses reported the individuals who tore the posters arrived in a vehicle bearing the registration number UP14HA-8328. "By tearing the posters, they hurt our sentiments deeply. It was a clear attempt to disturb the peace and order in our community," Singh emphasized. "Later, we learned that the Ambedkar statue installed near Shani Mandir had also been damaged during the night. We immediately informed the police and demanded urgent action to address this provocation."
Political and Police Response to Escalating Tensions
As the protest intensified, key local figures and law enforcement officials rushed to the scene. Loni MLA Nand Kishore Gujjar, municipal chairperson Ranjita Dhama, and senior police officers arrived to engage with the protesters and assess the situation. Gujjar expressed grave concern, alleging that someone had deliberately tried to disturb communal harmony in Loni. He called for strict action against the perpetrators, including potential charges under the National Security Act (NSA) provisions.
Despite these efforts, the road blockade persisted until past 4 PM, prompting police intervention. Officers used batons to clear the road and detained some protesters to restore order. With heavy police deployment at the site, one carriageway was cleared initially, allowing traffic to gradually resume on both sides of the Delhi-Saharanpur Road later in the day.
FIR Registered and Ongoing Investigation
In response to the incidents, an FIR was registered at the Loni Border police station against unknown persons. The charges include Section 298 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with injuring or defiling a place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class, and Section 299, which covers deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings by insulting religion or religious beliefs.
A police officer involved in the investigation provided an update, stating, "We have detained two persons so far as part of our inquiry. Our teams are actively checking CCTV footage from nearby areas to identify all those involved in these acts of vandalism." Additionally, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) announced that "a new statue is being brought from Baghpat and will be installed soon" to replace the damaged one, aiming to restore a sense of normalcy and respect in the community.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions in the region and underscores the importance of maintaining communal harmony. Authorities continue to investigate, with further updates expected as the case progresses.
