After BJP demands name change, Jinnah Tower in AP’s Guntur painted in tricolour

The development comes after three people claiming to be from the Hindu Vahini organisation were detained on January 26 for trying to hoist the national flag at the tower, despite prohibitory orders.

Andhra Pradesh | Hindu Vahini activists tried to unfurl the national flag on Jinnah Tower in Guntur today

“Police have taken 15-20 activists into custody and shifted them to a local police station. They will be released later today,” said Guntur Urban SP Arif Hafeez pic.twitter.com/HCC98PtgGU

— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2022

On Tuesday, Guntur East MLA Mohammed Musthafa said, “On the request of various groups, it was decided to decorate the tower with the tricolour and to construct a pole to hoist the national flag near the tower.” He added, “Necessary arrangements will be made to hoist the National flag at Jinnah Tower on Thursday.”

According to a PTI report, in December last year, the state unit of the BJP had demanded that the tower’s name be changed to honour former President Abdul Kalam. They threatened to destroy the monument if the YSRC government doesn’t heed their demands.

Musthafa, however, slammed the BJP member for raising the issue. “BJP leaders should participate in helping needy people amid Covid-19 pandemic, instead of provoking communal clashes,” he was quoted as saying by ANI.

Following the Republic Day incident, police had cordoned off the area to prevent any untoward incident that may flare up communal tensions. Musthafa along with GMC Mayor Kavati Manohar Naidu had visited the monument on Tuesday to check security arrangements.