Jaipur Traffic Police Issues Corrigendum Following Controversy Over Ambedkar Circle Reference
The traffic wing of the Jaipur Commissionerate issued a formal corrigendum on Friday, responding to significant backlash from opposition parties and Dalit organizations. The controversy erupted after an initial notification from the department referred to the Ambedkar Circle as Polo Circle, a move that many perceived as disrespectful to the legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Original Notification Sparks Outrage
On February 5, the department released a notification declaring both sides of the stretch from Statue Circle to "Polo Circle" and onward to Vidhan Sabha T-Point as a no-parking zone, effective from February 6. This reference to Ambedkar Circle as Polo Circle quickly triggered widespread outrage, with numerous individuals taking to social media to criticize the state government for what they saw as an attempt to diminish the importance of the circle named after the architect of the Indian Constitution.
In response to the growing public discontent, the police issued a fresh notification on Friday. While the new document still mentioned Polo Circle, it included an additional line clarifying that "Here Polo Circle refers to Ambedkar Circle." This amendment was intended to address the concerns raised by various groups and individuals.
Police Clarify Intentions Amid Criticism
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Sumeet Meharda spoke to the media to explain the department's stance. He emphasized that the use of the name Polo Circle was neither a mistake nor an intentional effort to malign the revered figure of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. According to Meharda, the name was included in the original gazette notification because residents were more familiar with Polo Circle than Ambedkar Circle.
"The name Polo Circle was mentioned solely to ensure that all concerned parties could easily understand the location," Meharda stated. "We were informed that it has hurt the sentiments of a section of residents. Consequently, we have issued a corrigendum. Our intention does not hurt anybody's sentiment." Meharda, who signed both the original and amended notifications, reiterated the department's commitment to avoiding any offense.
Historical Context and Public Reaction
Long-time residents and historians of Jaipur recalled that the intersection in question was never historically known as Polo Circle before the state government installed the statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Tripti Pandey, an author and city resident, noted, "As far as I remember, owing to its proximity to the high court, the state government decided to install Ambedkar's statue here, and it was officially named Ambedkar Circle. The place was never known to be Polo Circle."
The notification prompted strong reactions from political figures. Tikaram Jully, the opposition leader of the state assembly, posted on social media, stating, "This kind of tampering with the name of the circle where the historic statue of Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar is installed cannot be a simple mistake. The BJP must clarify why they harbour such hatred towards Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar that his name, identity, and honor are being repeatedly challenged."
Following the issuance of the corrigendum, Jully further commented, "After this blatant offense, neither there was an apology offered, nor any one was held responsible. This is not mere administrative negligence, but a blatant insult to the father of Indian Constitution, Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, and the so-called claims of good governance. An apology could at least be offered to the people of the state."
The incident highlights the sensitive nature of historical and cultural symbols in public spaces, underscoring the importance of careful consideration in official communications to avoid unintended controversies.
