Bajrang Dal threat forces Agra civic authorities to move Queen Victoria statues

The Bajrang Dal has arguably proved to be such a strong force, that a mere ultimatum to the Agra civic authorities that three-colonial era statues of Queen Victoria be removed from the heart of the city, ensured that the latter complied with the threats of the right-wing group.

According to a Times of India report, “Bajrang Dal leaders had sent out a memorandum on 7 November  demanding that the statues be removed” within 72 hours as they were a relic of India’s colonial past. By 10 November the statues were gone “to the backyard of the Agra Municipal Corporation’s John’s Public Library,” notes the report.

The co-convener of Bajrang Dal in the state, Ajju Chauhan told TOI, “Paliwal Park is the heart of Agra. The Bajrang Dal is absolutely against having any sign of colonialism here. We are against such signs anywhere in the country…”

But Chauhan’s group isn’t just stopping there, they now want the name of the John’s Public Library changed as well, adds the report. While Chauhan claimed that the District Magistrate of the city Pankaj Kumar helped get the statues shifted, Kumar himself denied any role in the whole affair.

This form of nationalist pride - by change the name of colonial monuments and forcing authorities to get rid of colonial heritage - isn’t new for the Dal or for that matter several other fringe right-wing groups. It’s political tactic used by nearly all political parties across the country.

In Lucknow, the famous King George’s Medical College, was renamed Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University when Mayawati came to power. It was restored to its former name when Samajwadi Party came to power in 2012. In Mumbai, the famous Victoria Terminal is now known as Chhatrapti Shivaji Terminus,  even though the building has a distinct gothic style.

Given the whole ‘ pure-Indian culture ’ stance that has been taken by the government, it’s not surprising that the Bajrang Dal feels emboldened enough to issue such ultimatums to a city administration. The anti-Western stance also stems from this line of thinking, and thus is it not surprising that colonial era statues and libraries are being targeted.

Also on the line of target for the upholders of Indian culture are ‘Western values’. The recent rise of moral policing incidents, especially after reports from Kerala , led to students starting Kiss of Love protests in order to make their stand against right-wing hooliganism.

While the students have shown that they are ready to clash with Sangh outfits in order to protect their individual rights, government administrations like the ones in Agra are easily buckling.