Tripura violence Latest updates: Latest reports say that a statue of BR Ambedkar in western Uttar Pradesh's Meerut was demolished by protesters on Monday. News18, however, reports that the administration in Meerut reacted swiftly and replaced the desecrated statue with a new one, ensuring that the law and order situation didn't go out of hand.
The news comes in the wake of several such incidents where statues of prominent political thinkers were defaced or desecrated. Speaking to reporters in Chennai, actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan said that no police is required to protect the statue of Periyar. "We, Tamilians, will protect Periyar," Haasan said in Chennai.
After Lenin's statue in Tripura and Periyar's statue in Tamil Nadu, bust of Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee was damaged in Kolkata's Chittaranjan Das Park inside Kalighat Crematorium on Wednesday morning.
The incident took place around 7am when a group of six students, claiming to be from the Jadavpur University’s ‘Radical’ students’ organisation, gathered in front of the park with placards condemning the vandalisation of Lenin statues in Tripura. Police said the six students have been detained.
Six people have been detained in Kolkata for vandalising the statue. The arrest comes at a time when the issue of vandalism of Periyar and Lenin's statue has reached the Parliament. An all-party meeting has been called at 1 pm to break the deadlock arising out of the issue.
After a BJP office in Tamil Nadu was attacked, party national secretary H Raja expressed regret for his Facebook post that said statues of rationalist movement founder EVRamasamy or Periyar would be razed to the ground in the state. Early on Wednesday a petrol bomb was hurled at a BJP office around 500 km from here in Coimbatore by unidentified persons.
Later in a fresh Facebook post on Wednesday, Raja expressed his heartfelt regret for his Tuesday's post, which he claimed was a message posted by his social media administrator without his permission and hence he had removed it.
Prominent right-wing ideologue's statue has come under attack. Syama Prasad Mukherjee's statue has been vandalised in Kalighat area of South Kolkata. Mukherjee was founder of Jan Sangh, predecessor of Bharatiya Janata party. Five people have been detained in connection with the incident by Kolkata Police.
The Union Home Ministry issued a statement on Tuesday and said that the ministry has taken serious note of such incidents of vandalism. Rajnath Singh has expressed his strong disapproval of such incidents, the statement further added. "MHA has asked the states that they must take all necessary measures to prevent such incidents. Persons indulging in such acts must be sternly dealt with and booked under relevant provisions of law."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strongly disapproved incidents of vandalism reported from certain parts of the country, ANI reports. Incidents of toppling statues have been reported from certain parts of the country.
Two statues of communist icon Vladimir Lenin were brought down in South Tripura, the police said, as the CPM and its arch-rival in Bengal, the Trinamool Congress, blamed the BJP for the incidents.
The statues were pulled down just days after the Left was defeated in Assembly polls by the BJP and its ally IPFT, which together won a two-third majority in the House in a state where the CPI(M) was in power for 25 years.
A five-foot high fibre glass statue of Lenin was toppled at Belonia yesterday, while a smaller figure was razed at Sabroom two days ago, district superintendent of police Monchak Ipper said.
Tripura chief minister-designate Biplab Deb has urged the people of the state to maintain peace and said anybody indulging in violence would be punished.
Protests in Tripura on Tuesday. Image: Ayub Sarkar/101Reporters
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to state Governor Tathagatha Roy and the director general of police, asking them to ensure peace till a new government was installed, an official said in New Delhi.
The demolition at Belonia evoked a sharp reaction from Trinamool Congress chief and Mamata Banerjee, who blamed the BJP and the RSS for the incidents.
Tripura CPI(M) district secretary Tapas Datta alleged that the statue, unveiled by the party's Politburo member and former general secretary Prakash Karat a few months ago, was razed by BJP workers yesterday at College Square in Belonia, about 110km from here.
"After pulling down the statue, slogans of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' were raised,'' Datta told PTI.
Ipper said the driver of the JCB excavator machine allegedly used to bring down the Lenin figure at Belonia was arrested and a notice sent to its owner.
The statue would be handed over to the authorities of the Belonia Municipal Corporation, he said.
The incidents took a controversial turn with a tweet posted by Governor Roy.
''What one democratically elected government can do another democratically elected government can undo. And vice versa'', he tweeted.
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, who criticised the incidents, described the tweet as "unfortunate".
''The tweet by the governor is unfortunate ... This shows how constitutional posts are being undermined," he said.
Asked by a TV news channel for his comment, Roy said, "'Yechury may go on making charges. It is not my duty to reply.''
Prohibitory orders were clamped on several areas of West Tripura district including - Srinagar, Lefunga, Mandai, Amtali, Radhapur, Arundhatinagar, Jirania, Mohanpur following post-poll violence, district magistrate Milind Ramteke said.
The CPI(M) accused the BJP and the IPFT of unleashing an "unprecedented reign of terror" across the state after the election results were announced on March 3.
Yechury alleged in Kolkata that 514 party activists have been assaulted, 1,539 houses of party activists attacked and 196 houses set ablaze in the last few days.
He also claimed 134 CPI(M) offices were attacked and looted, 64 party offices set on fire and 90 offices of mass organisations occupied by BJP-IPFT supporters.
The party top brass including Yechury and Politburo members Prakash Karat, Brinda Karat and Surjya Kanta Mishra led a rally in Kolkata, which ended in front of a statue of Lenin at Dharmatalla in the heart of the city.
Tripura CPI(M) state secretary Bijan Dhar appealed to the state administration and the BJP to "stop the violence".
''In a democratic system a change of government is usual, but violence in such a grave form is not acceptable," he said.
The police today said it had received complaints of post-poll violence from various parts of the state since Sunday night.
Senior CPI leader D Raja said while one party may win and another party lose an election, it did not mean either could indulge in vandalism.
''Lenin is considered one of the tallest leaders of the world. We should have that respect,'' he told a TV news channel.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee slammed the RSS-BJP for their alleged involvement in the pulling down of Lenin's statues.
"It is not one's job to pull down the statue of an icon after coming to power in a state," she said at a public meeting in Bankura in West Bengal.
Tripura's BJP vice-president Subal Bhowmick had alleged yesterday that CPI(M) activists assaulted 49 BJP supporters, 17 of whom had to be hospitalised.
Published Date: Mar 07, 2018 14:47 PM | Updated Date: Mar 07, 2018 14:48 PM
Highlights
7 people arrested for defiling Syama Prasad Mookerjee in Kolkata
Tamil Nadu BJP meets after petrol bomb hurled at party's Coimbatore office
TN BJP advisory committee met under party leader CB Radhakrishnan on discuss the incident early morning today when a petrol bomb was hurled at the BJP office in Coimbatore.
Speaking to reporters after this meeting, he said, "Any violence by anyone is condemnable. BJP would never support these actions. Action must be taken against those who are involved in violent actions. Last week, when Pon Radhakrishnan said that extremism isn't dead in Tamil Nadu, he was condemned by the deputy chief minister. But then this petrol bomb incident has happened today. Vote bank politics prevents Tamil Nadu government from taking any action against the culprits."
Mydeen Abdul Kathar/101Reporters
Thamizhnadu Brahmin Association condemns H Raja's comments against Periyar
Thamizhnadu Brahmin Association President N Narayana condemned H Raja's remarks against Periyar statues in the strongest possible terms. "In the future he should refrain from making such careless statements", he insisted.
Mydeen Abdul Kathar/101Reporters
Visuals: Ambedkar statue damaged in UP's Meerut
Zilla Panchayat officials in Meerut's Mawana said that an Ambedkar statue was vandalised in the city on Monday. However, the officials have assured that action will be taken and the statue will be replaced with a new one.
Input by Rishab Bhardwaj/101Reporters
Kamal Haasan says Periyar statues don't need protection, those insulting Tamil icons do
Speaking to reporters in Alwarpet, Chennai, Makkal Needhi Maiam president and founder Kamal Hassan, said, "These recorded views on Periyar are very low and punishable by law, according to legal experts. Periyar statues don't require protection, the Tamils will protect them. Those who speak scandalously about Periyar should be the ones given security because they'll need it. We can't accept these expressions of regret."
Mydeen Abdul Kathar/101Reporters
No end to statue war: Now, Ambedkar's statue damaged in Meerut
BR Ambedkar's statue in Meerut was added to the list of statues of prominent political thinkers which have been damaged across the country in the last 48 hours. However, according to News18, city administration acted fast and avoided any further deterioration in the law and order situation by replacing the damaged statue with a new one.
It is still unclear as to who were behind damaging Ambedkar's statue.
Those who dream to destroy Dravidian thoughts will not succeed, says MK Stalin
DMK's MK Stalin took to Twitter and said that those who imagine to destroy Dravidian thoughts will not succeed. "Even in dreams, or imagination, these statues should not be destroyed again," Stalin said.
Security beefed up at 27 locations in Chennai with Periyar statue
Surveillance has been heightened at 27 major locations in Chennai which have Periyar statues and police has been deployed to protect these statues.
Input by Abdul Kader Mydeen/101Reporters
Actor Prakash Raj reacts to statue vandalisation
"...What are you teaching our children... please stop this statue politics," Raj tweeted on Wednesday.
Periyar's land won't allow poisonous politics: AIADMK minister D Jayakumar
Minister for Fisheries and Personnel and Administrative Reforms D Jayakumar addressed a press meet in Chennai and said that H Raja's opinion on Periyar issue is not acceptable and must be condemned. "This is Periyar's land. On this soil, AIADMK will never allow jealousy-driven poisonous rumours and malicious actions to spread. Tamil Nadu is a state of peace. Actions like these will be destroyed from their roots. The government has taken action to protect the statues."
Input by Abdul Kader Mydeen/101Reporters
To vandalise Periyar, Anna statues under AIADMK's rule is brazen: Former Chennai Mayor
"H Raja is continuing to speak about Periyar and Karunanidhi in a defamatory manner. Raja, who is involved in these anti-national activities should arrested under the Goonda Act. To vandalise Anna and Periyar statues during AIADMK's rule is brazen. This shows that the state government is under the control of BJP," says M Subramanium, former mayor of Chennai and member of DMK.
Input by Abdul Kader Mydeen/101Reporters
We, Tamilians, will protect Periyar statue: Kamal Haasan
"There is no need to deploy police for protection of Periyar Statue. We, Tamilians, will protect it. I feel that this issue is just to divert attention from the Cauvery issue," says Haasan.
The actor was referring to the formation of Cauvery management board.
If the government is serious it should take criminal action against all involved in violence: Kamal Haasan
Speaking on the issue of statue vandalisation across the country, newly-turned politician, Kamal Haasan slammed BJP leader H Raja for his comments on Periyar. "If the government is serious, it should take criminal action against all involved," says Haasan.
Periyar is not a mere mortal, name or place, Periyar is philiosophy: Sathyaraj
Actor Sathyaraj condemned the attack on revolutionary Lenin statue in Tripura. He asked the Tamil Nadu government to take action against BJP member H Raja who had said that Periyar statues will be demolished in the state.
“Periyar is not a mere mortal, name or place. Periya is a philosophy. He is an ideology created for the freedom of working classes, for women’s freedom, to abolish superstitious beliefs. He does not merely live as a statue, he live in our hearts. You cannot remove him from our hearts no matter what power you possess. If you tell us the time date and time, Periyar supporters will be ready take up the challenge. H Raja should apologies and government should initiate action against him,” Sathyaraj said.
Input by Abdul Kader Mydeen/101Reporters
We should accept H Raja's apology and drop the protests: TN BJP general secretary
Tamil Nadu BJP general secretary Vanathi Srinivasan spoke to Firstpost and said, "H Raja has explained himself on the issue. This explanation should be accepted and protests should be dropped. This matter should not be politicised any further."
Input by: Abdul Kader Mydeen/101Reporters
BJP's R Muthuraman, arrested for damaging Periyar statue, expelled from party
Tamil Nadu BJP chief Tamilsai Soundarajan issued a statement on Wedneday saying R Muthuraman, a party functionary who was arrested for damaging a Periyar statue in Tiruppattur in Vellore district on Tuesday, has been expelled from the party.
Input from: Mydeen Abdul Kathar/101Reporters
Arrest H Raja under Goondas Act, says MK Stalin
After H Raja's controversial Facebook post calling for vandalising of Periyar's statue, DMK working president M K Stalin demanded the arrest of Raja under Goondas Act. “Nobody has the right to touch Periyar’s statue. He has been doing this for long time to incite violence. He should be arrested under Goondas Act and put behind bars,” Stalin was quoted by The Indian Express as saying.
H Raja expresses regret over Facebook post
Hours after a BJP office in Tamil Nadu was attacked, party National Secretary H. Raja on Wednesday expressed regret for his Facebook post that said statues of rationalist movement founder E.V.Ramasamy or Periyar would be razed to the ground in the state. Early on Wednesday a petrol bomb was hurled at a BJP office around 500 km from here in Coimbatore by unidentified persons.
Later in a fresh Facebook post on Wednesday, Raja expressed his heartfelt regret for his Tuesday's post, which he claimed was a message posted by his social media administrator without his permission and hence he had removed it. Raja expressed regret if his post had hurt anybody's feelings. According to him, damaging the statues of Ramasamy is not agreeable.
IANS
WATCH: CPM to continue protest till action is taken against BJP leader H Raja
West Bengal minister condemns vandalism of Shyama Prasad Mookerjee's bust
Those who vandalised Shyama Prasad's bust must be arrested, says BJP
TDPK worker surrenders after hurling petrol bomb at BJP HQ in Coimbatore
Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan calls for an all-party meeting at 1 pm
6 people detained in Kolkata over vandalism
Uproar in Rajya Sabha over vandalism of statues
Politics surrounding statue desecration reached the Rajya Sabha today when Chairman Venkaiah Naidu had to adjourn the Upper House till 2 pm soon after it began at 11 am.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has also called for an all-party meet to discuss the stalemate in Parliament.
H Raja blames Facebook admin for post of Periyar, apologises
"I have removed that admin who posted the comment about #Periyar and have deleted the post. I totally condemn vandalising statues and violence. I express heartfelt regret for my Facebook post," says H Raja.
PIL against H Raja's Facebook post filed in Madras High Court
A PIL has been filed in Madras High Court by advocate Surya Prakasam in wake of H Raja’s Facebook post on desecration of Periyar's statue. The High Court has agreed to hear the case this afternoon, News18 reports.
Jan Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mukherjee's defaced bust reignites statue politics
Prominent right-wing ideologue's statue has come under attack. Syama Prasad Mukherjee's statue has been vandalised in Kalighat area of South Kolkata. Mukherjee was founder of Jan Sangh, predecessor of Bharatiya Janata party. Five people have been detained in connection with the incident by Kolkata Police.
Reports said that the bust is located at Keoratala crematorium, at the heart of South Kolkata. "BJP condemns barbaric act of vandalising statue of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh Bharat Keshri's founder Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee at Keoratola Mohasoshan, Kolkata. We demand very strong action against culprits", said Sayantan Ghosh.
DNA report claimed that the Radical is an ultra-Left Naxal group.
West Bengal BJP condemns desecration of Syama Prasad Mukherjee statue, demands strong action against culprits
BJP's West Bengal unit condemns the barbaric act of vandalising the statue of Syama Prasad Mookerjee at Keoratola Mohasoshan, the party general secretary Sayantan Ghosh was quoted as saying by News18.
"Demand very strong action against the culprits and also want to give away the message that you just can't take away the contribution of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee in building West Bengal by this shameful act. We will rebuild it with more grace," Ghosh was quoted as saying.
BJP will always remain committed to ideals of openness and constructive politics...: Amit Shah
Soon after the MHA released a statement on the recent toppling of statues across the country, BJP chief Amit Shah tweeted and said that as a party BJP believes that "a wide range of ideas and ideologies can coexist in India. This is exactly how the makers of our Constitution envisioned our great nation to be. India’s diversity and the vibrant spirit of debate and discussion is what strengthens us."
In a series of tweets, the BJP chief also said that he had spoken to the party units in both Tamil Nadu and Tripura. "Any person associated with the BJP found to be involved with destroying any statue will face severe action from the party."
MHA issues advisory to states to prevent incidents of vandalism
Union Ministry of Home Affairs released a statement which was an advisory to states to prevent incidents of vandalism:
"Incidents of toppling of statues have been reported from certain parts of the country. Union Ministry of Home Affairs has taken serious note of such incidents of vandalism. Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh has expressed his strong disapproval of such incidents.
MHA has asked the States that they must take all necessary measures to prevent such incidents. Persons indulging in such acts must be sternly dealt with and booked under relevant provisions of law. The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi also spoke to the Union Home Minister in this regard."
Have taken serious note of such incidents of vandalism, tweets Home Ministry
MHA has asked the states that they must take all necessary measures to prevent such incidents. Persons indulging in such acts must be sternly dealt with & booked under relevant provisions of law:
Modi "strongly" disapproves of incidents of statue toppling, says MHA
Days after several statues of political thinkers (most of them Communist of Left theologists) across the nation were toppled, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly spoke to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and has expressed strong disapproval of such incident.
Intervene to end violence in Tripura: CPM tells Modi
"We request your immediate intervention to stop these attacks and violence and to maintain peace and normalcy in the state" before the situation "worsened", the party said in the memorandum addressed to the prime minister.
Another Lenin statue brought down in Sabroom Motor Stand
When Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Lenin's mausoleum in Russia
In 1979, then prime minister Morarji Desai was on a state visit to Russia and Atal Bihari Vajpayee as foreign minister of India, accompanied him. In the course of his visit, Vajpayee had to visit Lenin's mausoleum in Moscow for a wreath laying ceremony. PK Budhwar, in his book A Diplomat Reveals refers to the incident and said that Vajpayee responded in his own style, when he was asked how he felt about the whole thing. "Hum mein aur Rossion me antar kya hai, hum Shiv ki pooja karte hain ye shav ki (What is the difference between us and the Russians. We worship Shiva, they worship dead body)"
Biplab Deb meets Tripura governor, swearing-in on 9 March
Watch: Tripura Dy Speaker, CPM leader Pabitra Kar speaks on Lenin statute's demolition
Deputy Speaker and senior CPM leader Pabitra Kar speaks on demolition of Lenin statue and post-poll violence allegedly perpetrated by BJP workers. He compares there act to Taliban's razing of Buddha statue in Bamiyan, Afghanistan.
Courtesy: SS Ali | Team 101 Reporters
Enough forces in Tripura to tackle violence: Union Home Ministry
"Adequate central security forces and state police are available in Tripura for maintaining law and order and restoring peace," a home ministry spokesperson told PTI.
People 'oppressed' by Left may have brought down Lenin's statue: Giriraj Singh
Union minister Giriraj Singh today said people who were "oppressed" during the 25-year Left rule in Tripura might have brought down a statue of communist icon Lenin in the state.
CPM workers hold protest in Kolkata after Lenin statue pulled down
Karnataka Congress president G Parameshwara criticises BJP over Tripura violence
CPM office ransacked in Ramchandraghat constituency on Monday
Image Courtesy: Ayub Sarkar | Team 101 Reporters
Tyrants risk being toppled: Tavleen Singh on demolition of Lenin's statue
People want statues of Vivekananda and Sardar Patel, not Lenin: Tripura BJP leader
"People of the area wanted to erect statues of national heroes like Swami Vivekananda, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Mother Teresa instead of Lenin since long. Whatever happened in Belonia is the outcome of public fury," BJP spokesperson Subrata Chakraborty said. The party has, however, denied its workers were involved in the incident and blamed it in 'massive anger' amid common people.
Skirmishes normal, overzealous workers will be reined in by law: Tathagata Roy
"Sitaram Yechury can go on making charges. I am not going to respond to that. These skirmishes happen after elections across every state from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. These are some overzealous supporters who will be dealt with according to the law," Roy told CNN-News18.
CPM flays BJP's 'unprecedented reign of terror' claims scores of party workers beaten up
CPM state secretary Bijan Dhar claimed that 514 party activists were assaulted, 1,539 houses of the party activists were attacked and 196 houses set on fire since the announcement of results.
He also claimed that 134 CPI(M) offices were attacked and looted, 64 party offices were set on fire and at least 90 offices of different mass organisations had been occupied allegedly by BJP-IPFT supporters.
PTI
Image Courtesy: Ayub Sarkar | Team 101 Reporters
CPM workers burn Modi's effigy in Kolkata to protest demolition of Lenin statue
Watch: Statue of Vladimir Lenin being razed amid chants of Bharat Mata ki Jai
IPFT may get post of Deputy CM but party mum possible names
Meanwhile, state gears up to get new chief minister
Media reports say Rajnath Singh spoke to Tripura governor, DGP
Amid reports of sporadic violence in Tripura, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday spoke to the State governor and the DGP and asked them to ensure peace till a new government is installed, an official said.
During the telephonic calls, Governor Tathagata Roy and DGP A.K. Shukla apprised the Union Home Minister about the prevailing situation in Tripura, PTI reported.
ABVP workers vandalise Dashrath Deb Memorial College
Students affiliated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, BJP's student wing, ransacked Dashrath Deb Memorial College in Khowai on Monday.
Image Courtesy Ayub Sarkar | Team 101 reporters
Ram Madhav tweets on demolition of Lenin statue, later deletes tweet
After defilation of Lenin statue in Tripura, Tamil Nadu BJP leader calls Periyar casteist; Tamil group lodges FIR
Sunil Deodhar says no place for intolerance, vandalism
Speaking to NDTV, BJP leader Sunil Deodhar who was in charge of electioneering in Tripura, said that the BJP believes that others have the freedom of holding there own ideology, which can be in contrast with our own. But there is no space for violence. Unfortunately this happened when there was no government there."
My tweet was of abstract position: Tripura governor defends tweet on felling of Lenin's statue
" I am not responsible for it. What I tweeted was of abstract position. A new government has not been sworn in yet; reading the tweet in its own way," Tathagata Roy told CNN-News 18.
Tathagata Roy tweets on vandalism of Lenin statue; CPM outrages
Tripura governor Tathagata Roy tweeted out the picture of the Lenin statue being felled by the so-called BJP workers and commented on the fact that how a diplomatically elected government can undo things done by there predecessors.
The comment outraged the Left party, which called it "shameful". "It is shameful that Governor is celebrating the attack."
BJP is political front of 'fascist RSS': Sitaram Yechury
CPM General Secretary said that the BJP was merely a political mask of the deeply "fascistic" RSS ideology. He said that the RSS was banned in the past, and the condition to remove the ban was that they will never enter politics. That's why they needed a political front and that's how the BJP was born. Yechury also said that BJP thrives on political violence.
BJP indulged in opportunism for narrow poll gains: Sitaram Yechury
Speaking to the press after vandalism was reported in Tripura, CPM general secretary said that the BJP is an opportunist party who rode to power on the shoulders of parties who had gained strength in the region by fanning separatist sentiments. He said that they have shown there streak for opportunism in other state as well but we will reorganize e ourselves and fight their divisive ideology.
BJP, RSS anti-democratic, fascistic: Sitaram Yechury
The true face of BJP and RSS is anti-democratic and fascistic. It is our responsibility to fight them and we will do that," Yechury said.
Section 144 imposed across 13 police stations
Section 144 imposed across 13 police stations in West Tripura district between 8 pm and 6 am on 5 and 6 March.
Input from Ayub Sarkar/101Reporters
14:48 (IST)
7 people arrested for defiling Syama Prasad Mookerjee in Kolkata
14:38 (IST)
Tamil Nadu BJP meets after petrol bomb hurled at party's Coimbatore office
TN BJP advisory committee met under party leader CB Radhakrishnan on discuss the incident early morning today when a petrol bomb was hurled at the BJP office in Coimbatore.
Speaking to reporters after this meeting, he said, "Any violence by anyone is condemnable. BJP would never support these actions. Action must be taken against those who are involved in violent actions. Last week, when Pon Radhakrishnan said that extremism isn't dead in Tamil Nadu, he was condemned by the deputy chief minister. But then this petrol bomb incident has happened today. Vote bank politics prevents Tamil Nadu government from taking any action against the culprits."
Mydeen Abdul Kathar/101Reporters
14:29 (IST)
Thamizhnadu Brahmin Association condemns H Raja's comments against Periyar
Thamizhnadu Brahmin Association President N Narayana condemned H Raja's remarks against Periyar statues in the strongest possible terms. "In the future he should refrain from making such careless statements", he insisted.
Mydeen Abdul Kathar/101Reporters
14:26 (IST)
Visuals: Ambedkar statue damaged in UP's Meerut
Zilla Panchayat officials in Meerut's Mawana said that an Ambedkar statue was vandalised in the city on Monday. However, the officials have assured that action will be taken and the statue will be replaced with a new one.
Input by Rishab Bhardwaj/101Reporters
14:24 (IST)
Kamal Haasan says Periyar statues don't need protection, those insulting Tamil icons do
Speaking to reporters in Alwarpet, Chennai, Makkal Needhi Maiam president and founder Kamal Hassan, said, "These recorded views on Periyar are very low and punishable by law, according to legal experts. Periyar statues don't require protection, the Tamils will protect them. Those who speak scandalously about Periyar should be the ones given security because they'll need it. We can't accept these expressions of regret."
Mydeen Abdul Kathar/101Reporters
14:14 (IST)
No end to statue war: Now, Ambedkar's statue damaged in Meerut
BR Ambedkar's statue in Meerut was added to the list of statues of prominent political thinkers which have been damaged across the country in the last 48 hours. However, according to News18, city administration acted fast and avoided any further deterioration in the law and order situation by replacing the damaged statue with a new one.
It is still unclear as to who were behind damaging Ambedkar's statue.
13:52 (IST)
Those who dream to destroy Dravidian thoughts will not succeed, says MK Stalin
DMK's MK Stalin took to Twitter and said that those who imagine to destroy Dravidian thoughts will not succeed. "Even in dreams, or imagination, these statues should not be destroyed again," Stalin said.
13:44 (IST)
Security beefed up at 27 locations in Chennai with Periyar statue
Surveillance has been heightened at 27 major locations in Chennai which have Periyar statues and police has been deployed to protect these statues.
Input by Abdul Kader Mydeen/101Reporters
13:38 (IST)
Actor Prakash Raj reacts to statue vandalisation
"...What are you teaching our children... please stop this statue politics," Raj tweeted on Wednesday.
13:32 (IST)
Periyar's land won't allow poisonous politics: AIADMK minister D Jayakumar
Minister for Fisheries and Personnel and Administrative Reforms D Jayakumar addressed a press meet in Chennai and said that H Raja's opinion on Periyar issue is not acceptable and must be condemned. "This is Periyar's land. On this soil, AIADMK will never allow jealousy-driven poisonous rumours and malicious actions to spread. Tamil Nadu is a state of peace. Actions like these will be destroyed from their roots. The government has taken action to protect the statues."
Input by Abdul Kader Mydeen/101Reporters
13:30 (IST)
To vandalise Periyar, Anna statues under AIADMK's rule is brazen: Former Chennai Mayor
"H Raja is continuing to speak about Periyar and Karunanidhi in a defamatory manner. Raja, who is involved in these anti-national activities should arrested under the Goonda Act. To vandalise Anna and Periyar statues during AIADMK's rule is brazen. This shows that the state government is under the control of BJP," says M Subramanium, former mayor of Chennai and member of DMK.
Input by Abdul Kader Mydeen/101Reporters
13:15 (IST)
We, Tamilians, will protect Periyar statue: Kamal Haasan
"There is no need to deploy police for protection of Periyar Statue. We, Tamilians, will protect it. I feel that this issue is just to divert attention from the Cauvery issue," says Haasan.
The actor was referring to the formation of Cauvery management board.
13:14 (IST)
If the government is serious it should take criminal action against all involved in violence: Kamal Haasan
Speaking on the issue of statue vandalisation across the country, newly-turned politician, Kamal Haasan slammed BJP leader H Raja for his comments on Periyar. "If the government is serious, it should take criminal action against all involved," says Haasan.
13:04 (IST)
Periyar is not a mere mortal, name or place, Periyar is philiosophy: Sathyaraj
Actor Sathyaraj condemned the attack on revolutionary Lenin statue in Tripura. He asked the Tamil Nadu government to take action against BJP member H Raja who had said that Periyar statues will be demolished in the state.
“Periyar is not a mere mortal, name or place. Periya is a philosophy. He is an ideology created for the freedom of working classes, for women’s freedom, to abolish superstitious beliefs. He does not merely live as a statue, he live in our hearts. You cannot remove him from our hearts no matter what power you possess. If you tell us the time date and time, Periyar supporters will be ready take up the challenge. H Raja should apologies and government should initiate action against him,” Sathyaraj said.
Input by Abdul Kader Mydeen/101Reporters
12:38 (IST)
We should accept H Raja's apology and drop the protests: TN BJP general secretary
Tamil Nadu BJP general secretary Vanathi Srinivasan spoke to Firstpost and said, "H Raja has explained himself on the issue. This explanation should be accepted and protests should be dropped. This matter should not be politicised any further."
Input by: Abdul Kader Mydeen/101Reporters
12:36 (IST)
BJP's R Muthuraman, arrested for damaging Periyar statue, expelled from party
Tamil Nadu BJP chief Tamilsai Soundarajan issued a statement on Wedneday saying R Muthuraman, a party functionary who was arrested for damaging a Periyar statue in Tiruppattur in Vellore district on Tuesday, has been expelled from the party.
Input from: Mydeen Abdul Kathar/101Reporters
12:26 (IST)
Arrest H Raja under Goondas Act, says MK Stalin
After H Raja's controversial Facebook post calling for vandalising of Periyar's statue, DMK working president M K Stalin demanded the arrest of Raja under Goondas Act. “Nobody has the right to touch Periyar’s statue. He has been doing this for long time to incite violence. He should be arrested under Goondas Act and put behind bars,” Stalin was quoted by The Indian Express as saying.
12:22 (IST)
H Raja expresses regret over Facebook post
Hours after a BJP office in Tamil Nadu was attacked, party National Secretary H. Raja on Wednesday expressed regret for his Facebook post that said statues of rationalist movement founder E.V.Ramasamy or Periyar would be razed to the ground in the state. Early on Wednesday a petrol bomb was hurled at a BJP office around 500 km from here in Coimbatore by unidentified persons.
Later in a fresh Facebook post on Wednesday, Raja expressed his heartfelt regret for his Tuesday's post, which he claimed was a message posted by his social media administrator without his permission and hence he had removed it. Raja expressed regret if his post had hurt anybody's feelings. According to him, damaging the statues of Ramasamy is not agreeable.
IANS
12:16 (IST)
WATCH: CPM to continue protest till action is taken against BJP leader H Raja
12:04 (IST)
West Bengal minister condemns vandalism of Shyama Prasad Mookerjee's bust
12:01 (IST)
Those who vandalised Shyama Prasad's bust must be arrested, says BJP
11:59 (IST)
TDPK worker surrenders after hurling petrol bomb at BJP HQ in Coimbatore
11:57 (IST)
Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan calls for an all-party meeting at 1 pm
11:51 (IST)
6 people detained in Kolkata over vandalism
11:46 (IST)
Uproar in Rajya Sabha over vandalism of statues
Politics surrounding statue desecration reached the Rajya Sabha today when Chairman Venkaiah Naidu had to adjourn the Upper House till 2 pm soon after it began at 11 am.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has also called for an all-party meet to discuss the stalemate in Parliament.
11:31 (IST)
H Raja blames Facebook admin for post of Periyar, apologises
"I have removed that admin who posted the comment about #Periyar and have deleted the post. I totally condemn vandalising statues and violence. I express heartfelt regret for my Facebook post," says H Raja.
11:26 (IST)
PIL against H Raja's Facebook post filed in Madras High Court
A PIL has been filed in Madras High Court by advocate Surya Prakasam in wake of H Raja’s Facebook post on desecration of Periyar's statue. The High Court has agreed to hear the case this afternoon, News18 reports.
11:13 (IST)
Jan Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mukherjee's defaced bust reignites statue politics
Prominent right-wing ideologue's statue has come under attack. Syama Prasad Mukherjee's statue has been vandalised in Kalighat area of South Kolkata. Mukherjee was founder of Jan Sangh, predecessor of Bharatiya Janata party. Five people have been detained in connection with the incident by Kolkata Police.
Reports said that the bust is located at Keoratala crematorium, at the heart of South Kolkata. "BJP condemns barbaric act of vandalising statue of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh Bharat Keshri's founder Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee at Keoratola Mohasoshan, Kolkata. We demand very strong action against culprits", said Sayantan Ghosh.
DNA report claimed that the Radical is an ultra-Left Naxal group.
11:10 (IST)
West Bengal BJP condemns desecration of Syama Prasad Mukherjee statue, demands strong action against culprits
BJP's West Bengal unit condemns the barbaric act of vandalising the statue of Syama Prasad Mookerjee at Keoratola Mohasoshan, the party general secretary Sayantan Ghosh was quoted as saying by News18.
"Demand very strong action against the culprits and also want to give away the message that you just can't take away the contribution of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee in building West Bengal by this shameful act. We will rebuild it with more grace," Ghosh was quoted as saying.
11:02 (IST)
BJP will always remain committed to ideals of openness and constructive politics...: Amit Shah
Soon after the MHA released a statement on the recent toppling of statues across the country, BJP chief Amit Shah tweeted and said that as a party BJP believes that "a wide range of ideas and ideologies can coexist in India. This is exactly how the makers of our Constitution envisioned our great nation to be. India’s diversity and the vibrant spirit of debate and discussion is what strengthens us."
In a series of tweets, the BJP chief also said that he had spoken to the party units in both Tamil Nadu and Tripura. "Any person associated with the BJP found to be involved with destroying any statue will face severe action from the party."
10:41 (IST)
MHA issues advisory to states to prevent incidents of vandalism
Union Ministry of Home Affairs released a statement which was an advisory to states to prevent incidents of vandalism:
"Incidents of toppling of statues have been reported from certain parts of the country. Union Ministry of Home Affairs has taken serious note of such incidents of vandalism. Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh has expressed his strong disapproval of such incidents.
MHA has asked the States that they must take all necessary measures to prevent such incidents. Persons indulging in such acts must be sternly dealt with and booked under relevant provisions of law. The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi also spoke to the Union Home Minister in this regard."
10:34 (IST)
Have taken serious note of such incidents of vandalism, tweets Home Ministry
MHA has asked the states that they must take all necessary measures to prevent such incidents. Persons indulging in such acts must be sternly dealt with & booked under relevant provisions of law:
10:27 (IST)
Modi "strongly" disapproves of incidents of statue toppling, says MHA
Days after several statues of political thinkers (most of them Communist of Left theologists) across the nation were toppled, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly spoke to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and has expressed strong disapproval of such incident.
10:13 (IST)
Updates for 7 March begin
20:37 (IST)
Intervene to end violence in Tripura: CPM tells Modi
"We request your immediate intervention to stop these attacks and violence and to maintain peace and normalcy in the state" before the situation "worsened", the party said in the memorandum addressed to the prime minister.
20:05 (IST)
Another Lenin statue brought down in Sabroom Motor Stand
18:12 (IST)
Today it is Lenin's statue, tomorrow it'll be of Gandhi, Netaji or Swami Vivekananda: Mamata Banerjee
“My ideology may differ with the CPI(M) but I will not tolerate it if someone tries to destroy the statues of leaders like Lenin. It is unfortunate that BJP leaders, instead of thinking about Tripura's development, are indulging in violence. They only believe in divisive politics,” Mamata was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
“What kind of politics is this? Today they are pulling down Lenin’s statue, tomorrow they will do the same with Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda and Birsa Muda’s statue. Till the time I am alive, I will not tolerate this and will continue to protest against these practices,” she said.
18:00 (IST)
When Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Lenin's mausoleum in Russia
In 1979, then prime minister Morarji Desai was on a state visit to Russia and Atal Bihari Vajpayee as foreign minister of India, accompanied him. In the course of his visit, Vajpayee had to visit Lenin's mausoleum in Moscow for a wreath laying ceremony. PK Budhwar, in his book A Diplomat Reveals refers to the incident and said that Vajpayee responded in his own style, when he was asked how he felt about the whole thing. "Hum mein aur Rossion me antar kya hai, hum Shiv ki pooja karte hain ye shav ki (What is the difference between us and the Russians. We worship Shiva, they worship dead body)"
17:45 (IST)
Biplab Deb meets Tripura governor, swearing-in on 9 March
17:37 (IST)
Watch: Tripura Dy Speaker, CPM leader Pabitra Kar speaks on Lenin statute's demolition
Deputy Speaker and senior CPM leader Pabitra Kar speaks on demolition of Lenin statue and post-poll violence allegedly perpetrated by BJP workers. He compares there act to Taliban's razing of Buddha statue in Bamiyan, Afghanistan.
Courtesy: SS Ali | Team 101 Reporters
17:08 (IST)
Enough forces in Tripura to tackle violence: Union Home Ministry
"Adequate central security forces and state police are available in Tripura for maintaining law and order and restoring peace," a home ministry spokesperson told PTI.
17:07 (IST)
People 'oppressed' by Left may have brought down Lenin's statue: Giriraj Singh
Union minister Giriraj Singh today said people who were "oppressed" during the 25-year Left rule in Tripura might have brought down a statue of communist icon Lenin in the state.
17:03 (IST)
CPM workers hold protest in Kolkata after Lenin statue pulled down
16:59 (IST)
Karnataka Congress president G Parameshwara criticises BJP over Tripura violence
16:49 (IST)
CPM office ransacked in Ramchandraghat constituency on Monday
Image Courtesy: Ayub Sarkar | Team 101 Reporters
16:41 (IST)
Tyrants risk being toppled: Tavleen Singh on demolition of Lenin's statue
16:34 (IST)
People want statues of Vivekananda and Sardar Patel, not Lenin: Tripura BJP leader
"People of the area wanted to erect statues of national heroes like Swami Vivekananda, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Mother Teresa instead of Lenin since long. Whatever happened in Belonia is the outcome of public fury," BJP spokesperson Subrata Chakraborty said. The party has, however, denied its workers were involved in the incident and blamed it in 'massive anger' amid common people.
16:29 (IST)
Skirmishes normal, overzealous workers will be reined in by law: Tathagata Roy
"Sitaram Yechury can go on making charges. I am not going to respond to that. These skirmishes happen after elections across every state from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. These are some overzealous supporters who will be dealt with according to the law," Roy told CNN-News18.
16:24 (IST)
CPM flays BJP's 'unprecedented reign of terror' claims scores of party workers beaten up
CPM state secretary Bijan Dhar claimed that 514 party activists were assaulted, 1,539 houses of the party activists were attacked and 196 houses set on fire since the announcement of results.
He also claimed that 134 CPI(M) offices were attacked and looted, 64 party offices were set on fire and at least 90 offices of different mass organisations had been occupied allegedly by BJP-IPFT supporters.
PTI
Image Courtesy: Ayub Sarkar | Team 101 Reporters
16:19 (IST)
CPM workers burn Modi's effigy in Kolkata to protest demolition of Lenin statue