Tyre around Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar statue sparks protest in Uttarakhand's Rudrapur

RUDRAPUR: Ahead of Ambedkar Jayanti, protests broke out after unidentified miscreants placed a tyre around the neck of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar’s statue in the main market of Rudrapur town, Udham Singh Nagar district.
The incident came to light early Sunday morning when locals spotted the defaced statue and quickly gathered at the spot. Residents soon joined in, staging a sit-in and demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible.
“This is not just an insult to a statue, but to the father of our Constitution,” said Rampal Singh, former mayor of Rudrapur. “We won’t move until the accused are behind bars.”
Rudrapur MLA Shiv Arora and Kichha MLA Tilak Raj Behar later arrived at the spot and assured the crowd of swift action. “Dr Ambedkar gave a voice to the oppressed. Insulting such a great soul will not be tolerated. I stand firmly with the Ambedkarites,” said Behar.
MLA Arora announced that a protective gate and CCTV cameras would be installed around the statue before Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14.
ASP Uttam Singh, who also visited the spot, addressed the protesters and promised action. “CCTV footage shows that around 3:40am, a group of nearly a dozen teenagers committed the act. We are working to identify and apprehend them. They will be dealt with strictly under the law,” he said.
Police have urged the public to remain calm as the investigation continues.