In a highly embarrassing and eye clamping incident on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, the freshly-erected 10-ft-tall idol of BR Ambedkar was not only taken down but also left at the dump yard by corporation staff.
According to a report of The New Indian Express, the statue was erected at Punjagutta early on Saturday without obtaining clearance from the GHMC following which it was taken down.
The Ambedkar Statue Protection Committee — which installed the structure — led by G Vinod Kumar, staged a protest against its removal at the site near the Punjagutta junction. Pictures of the damaged structure being carried from Yousufguda to the Jawaharnagar dump yard in a garbage truck went viral and evoked strong reactions.
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As a precautionary measure, the police detained at least eight persons, including Kumar.
The Jawaharnagar police registered a case under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, following a complaint by the Telangana State Mala Mahanadu president.
The Telangana SC, ST Commission has sought a comprehensive report from the GHMC commissioner Hyderabad police commissioner.
The damaged statue, meanwhile, was taken to the Yousufguda Kotla Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy indoor stadium.