Kaushambi riots over vandalism of Ambedkar’s statue

Jajouli and adjoining villages in UP’s Kaushambi district were on edge after vandalizing the statue of Dr. BR Ambedkar miscreants. The villagers, who are mostly Dalits, staged a sit-in at the site. They raised slogans and demanded strictest action against the culprits. The police helped reinstall the statue and convinced the protesters to end their protests after promising action and assuring the villagers that such an incident would not happen again. A significant number of police officers are still in the area.

A case has been registered and the police are examining the camera system and other electronic material. “Senior police officials have inspected the site which falls under Paschim Shareera police station limits. A case has been registered against unknown persons and investigation is on. The statue has been reinstalled and we are working to ensure the arrest of the culprits soon,” said Janeshwar Prasad Pandey, circle officer (CO) Kaushambi.

Opposition parties termed the incident as part of a criminal plan by the feudal forces. “This act of vandalism is intended to send a message to marginalized communities that the symbols and dignity of Dalits and other marginalized groups will be suppressed. Attacks on Ambedkar statues are not new in BJP-ruled UP. Feudal elements have been emboldened by the rise of BJP and its divisive position, but they are trying to corner all second-class people and beat them to death. This move by BJP,” said Ajay Kumar Lallu, a senior leader of the Uttar Pradesh Congress.

Lok Sabha MP from Ghazipur and senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Afzal Ansari said such anti-social elements are thriving due to government inaction. “Such incidents occur regularly in the state and are meant to demoralize Dalits and other marginalized communities. They are the result of hatred spread by the BJP along with the reflection of feudal elements against Dalits. There have been many incidents involving attacks on Ambedkar’s statue in UP. There were three in Ghazipur. It highlights the fact that Dalit feudal elements emotionally attacked a Dalit statue. The anti-social feudal elements of the community have been strengthened by the BJP government and they are the bearers of the ruling party’s hate agenda,” Mr. Ansari said.

Published – 19 Jun 2026 23:54 IST