Statue vandalism updates: After BR Ambedkar, Periyar statues defiled, demand rises to arrest vandals under NSA act

Jignesh Mevani’s statement on statue vandalism 

“Vandalizing Periyar’s statue is an insult to Tamil culture and challenge to the idea of India.The celebratory approvals from BJP leaders and constitutional authorities to the toppling of Lenin statues in Tripura and the defacement of Periyar’s statue in Tamil Nadu capture two stunning realities of the Modi era: A complete contempt for Constitutional values and the mainstreaming of violence against all ideologies and ideas that do not subscribe to the narrow sectarian views of Hindutva,” Mevani said. 

“I call upon the Tamil Nadu government to deal with his open call to violence peacefully but with uncompromising deployment of the laws of the land. A mere regret or belated statements from BJP leaders do not wash away their uncivil, and unconstitutional, support to the public challenge by their cadres to law and order both in Tripura and Tamil Nadu,” he added.

Jignesh Mevani takes to twitter on statue politics, says BJP men must demolish Manu statues not Lenin’s or Priyar’s

Modi ji tell your boys to destroy the statue of manu, not lenin or Periyar. Mind well, exploited dalits will always cherish the legacy of aambedkar, lenin, periyar, Phule and some day they will definitely destroy the manu-murti at Rajasthan high court.
pic.twitter.com/7r3F8KzlYn

— Jignesh Mevani (@jigneshmevani80) March 7, 2018

Police say men who vandalised Periyar statue were not drunk

According to  The Times of India , the men arrested for allegedly defiling a Periyar statue were not drunk and they had damaged it deliberately with a hammer, the police has said.

Demands to arrest vandals under NSA act rise

Several AIADMK MLAs including Thamimun Ansari, Karunas and U Thaniyarasu have issued a joint statement demanding H Raja’s arrest under the National Security Act. Earlier, Bhim Army in Uttar Pradesh also raised a similar request urging authorities to arrest all those responsible for defacing the statues under teh NSA act.   

Input by Mydeen Abdul Kathar/101Reporters

BJP higher ups send stern message to party workers

Pon Radhakrishnan, MoS Finance and Shipping, while addressing a press conference said, “Following vandalism of statues in Tripura and Tamil Nadu, PM Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah have issued clear and strict guidelines that while the party is ready to fight any political differences, it will only be done in a democratic fashion, not by acting against the principles of democracy which have been upheld by the party since the beginning. BJP workers in Tripura and Tamil Nadu will follow these guidelines as laid out by party higher-ups. Amit Shah-led ideological guidelines have helped the BJP establish majority governments in more than 20 states and BJP workers must remember this proudly.”

Mydeen Abdul Kathar/101Reporters

H Raja’s effigy burnt by protestors in Chennai’s RK Nagar

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H Raja’s effigy was burnt by protestors in Chennai’s RK Nagar. 

Mydeen Abdul Kadar/101Reporters

BJP expels Periyar statue attacker but no word on action against H Raja

The BJP worker who defiled the Periyar statue in an inebriated state has been expelled by the party. However, it is mum on its national secretary H Raja, whose Facebook post added fuel to the whole controversy. 

Raja has apologised for the post, blaming it on his social media manager. However, Dravidin parties, including Kamal Haasan’s newly formed Makkal Needhi Maiam have refused to accept the apology.

Protests in Chennai, effigies of H Raja burnt

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Massive protests broke out in Chennai’s Anna Salai area as workers of various political parties protested against the BJP leader’s comments.

Mydeen Abdul Kathar/101Reporters

Security increased in Delhi after Lenin, Periyar statues vandalised

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After an MHA advisory was sent out to all states advising preventive action against incidents of vandalism, SHOs have been briefed to increase security in their areas in the National Capital. Police is making a list of sensitive and highly sensitive areas, and adequate number of personnel have been deployed around statues, a  NDTV report said.

H Raja’s remarks on EV Ramasamy statue have further damaged BJP’s reputation in Tamil Nadu

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Raja was playing with fire and he realised it when the sharp reactions scorched him. DMK leader MK Stalin asked for Raja to be booked under the Goondas Act, Vaiko and Khushbu dared him to touch one Periyar statue. But Raja was not the only offender. SG Suryah, the vice-president of the BJP Youth Wing also tweeted: “BJP successfully completed the fall of Lenin in Tripura! Can’t wait for the fall of EV Ramasamy statues in Tamil Nadu.''

By late evening, Raja and Suryah’s provocative comments translated into reality when a couple of drunk men, one of them a BJP activist, vandalised a bust of Periyar in Vellore. 

But was it indeed a case of overreach by the duo or is there more than what meets the eye? At a Tamil Nadu BJP level, this seems to be a case of intra-BJP rivalry between Raja and those who preside over the state unit — an attempt to score brownie points. But at a macro level, this could well be an effort to test the waters — to see if Periyarism is relevant and has currency in 2018.

The two parties that swear by Periyar’s ideology are the DMK and AIADMK, apart from a host of smaller Dravidian outfits. But the late Jayalalithaa visited temples, participated in religious prayers and offerings, even though this was completely against what Periyar propagated. But even while practising her religious beliefs, Jayalalithaa never spoke against Periyar. 

Madras HC directs state govt to ensure peace in Tamil Nadu

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The Madras high court on Wednesday directed the Tamil Nadu government to ensure maintenance of law and order and peace across the state in view of the Periyar statue controversy caused by BJP leader H Raja’s message on social media.

Statue politics rings in Rajya Sabha; DMK, AIADMK raise issue

The issue of demolition of statues echoed in the Rajya Sabha today as DMK and AIADMK sought to move motion of adjournment. Chairman Vemkaiah Naidu and Union minister Ananth Kumar also condemned the incidents.

Bhim Army demands action under NSA Act against miscreants who defiled Ambedkar, Lenin, Periyar statues 

Bhim Army of Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, demanded that National Security Act be enacted against those involved in vandalising statues of Lenin, Periyar and Ambedkar

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Saurabh Sharma | Team 101 Reporters

With head severed, ‘Lenin’ to be kept at civic body premises

An imposing statue of communist icon Vladimir Lenin, which was pulled down by a group of people in South Tripura’s Belonia, will be kept at the premises of the municipal body here, a top official today said. 

“We initially let the damaged statue lay there as it was since we were not sure about the mood of the people. We wanted to things to subside a bit. But, now, as per instructions from higher authorities, we have decided to take the statue and store it in our office premises,” Belonia Municipal Council’s CEO, Amit Ghosh told PTI.

Mayawati condemns post-electoral violence in Tripura

“At least now, when they have come to power, BJP and RSS should give up political violence as an instrument to achieve their goals. We demand constitutional guarantee for the safety of people from BJP governments in states and Centre,” BSP supremo Mayawati said.

“Trinamool government in West Bengal acted swiftly to arrest six people in the case of desecration of Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s bust. But, the BJP leaders are only engaging in unnecessary mudslinging while their workers engage in mob violence across states,” she added. 

Saurabh Sahrama | Team 101 Reporters

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu calls attacks ‘mad, shameful’

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday described as “shameful” and “mad” incidents of attacks on statues of iconic leaders in Tripura, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu’s BJP unit sacks worker for vandalising Periyar statue

The BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit sacked a party functionary for allegedly vandalising a Periyar statue. “R. Muthuraman is being expelled from the party,” BJP state chief Tamilisai Soundarrajan said in a brief statement.

Muthuraman was one of the two persons arrested by police for allegedly vandalising a bust-size statue of Ramasamy, in an inebriated condition, the other was identified as Francis.

‘My admin did it’: H Raja’s defence on derogatory Facebook post on Periyar

“Views can be debated only by countering it and not through violence. I don’t want to hurt anyone. Therefore, if anyone has been hurt due to the post, I really regret the action,” wrote Raja. He claimed he was travelling at the time and did not know about the post. He said he has deleted the post and removed the person responsible for it.

Two people arrested for hurling petrol bomb at BJP’s Coimbatore office

According to Times Now, _J_eeva Nanthan and Gautam, both workers of the Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (TDPK), have been arrested in connection with the attack on BJP office.

After Periyar Statue defaced, tit-for-tat attacks in Tamil Nadu

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Perhaps in retaliation to the derogatory comments made against Periyar and the subsequent vandalism at his statue, members Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam claimed they forcibly cut poonals (Janeyu or sacred thread) of 8 Brahmins. They have surrendered at a police station in Chennai’s Mylapore, The Times of India reported. 

Earlier in the day, a petrol bomb was hurled at the BJP office in Coimbatore.

7 people arrested for defiling Syama Prasad Mookerjee in Kolkata

6 male and one female ( age 22-29) who tried to deface the bust of dr shyama prasad mukherjee have been arrested from the spot by Kolkata Police and strong legal action initiated. No vandalism would be tolerated.

— CP Kolkata (@CPKolkata) March 7, 2018

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.

#BREAKING No end to #StatueWar, Ambedkar statue vandalised in Meerut. @pranshumisraa with more details on the story. pic.twitter.com/D5LtAw19Bf

— News18 (@CNNnews18) March 7, 2018

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. 

தன்மான தமிழினத்தின் தனிப்பெருந்தலைவர் தந்தைப் பெரியாரின் சிலைகளை அகற்றுவோம் என்று வக்கிரமாக கொக்கரித்தவர்கள் தமிழ்ச் சமுதாயத்திடம் எதிர்ப்பை சம்பாதித்து வாய்ப்பொத்தி மூலையில் முடங்கி இருக்கிறார்கள். இன்னும் எவரேனும் இதே எண்ணத்தோடு இருந்தால், நாம் யார் என்பதை காட்டும் காலம் வரும்!

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) March 7, 2018

திராவிடத்தையும், திராவிட உணர்வுகளையும் அழிக்க நினைப்பவர்களுக்கு இன்றளவும் சிம்மசொப்பனமாக பெரியார் இருக்கின்றார் என்பதை இந்த மண் மீண்டும் மறக்க முடியாத வரலாற்றுப் பாடமாக உணர்த்திக் கொண்டிருக்கிறது. கற்பனையிலும், கனவிலும் கூட இனி பெரியார் சிலைகளை அகற்றுவோம் என்ற எண்ணம் வரக்கூடாது.

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) March 7, 2018

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.

#leninstatue #periyarstatue #spmukherjeestatue vandalised...Whats your agenda..what are you teaching our children 🙏🙏please stop this statue politics.. violence breeds violence ..What was your election manifesto ..development or settling scores and goondaism .??....#justasking

— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) March 7, 2018

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.

There is no need to deploy police for protection of #PeriyarStatue. We Tamilians will protect it.I feel that this issue is just to divert attention from Cauvery issue (formation of Cauvery management board): Kamal Hassan pic.twitter.com/88aZ7gHqcL

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2018

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. 

#BREAKING | If the govt is serious, it should take criminal action against all involved in violence: @ikamalhaasan | #NetaKamal #StatueWar pic.twitter.com/qkjvJwEnmB

— News18 (@CNNnews18) March 7, 2018

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

#StatuePolitics -- Till action is taken against H Raja for attacking #Periyar, we will continue the protests: CPM Protestors to CNN-News18's @nimumurali #StatueWar pic.twitter.com/YRYNIijWC3

— News18 (@CNNnews18) March 7, 2018

West Bengal minister condemns vandalism of Shyama Prasad Mookerjee’s bust

One incident of vandalism cannot be replied with another similar incident, we condemn both. We have arrested six people and we will repair it(SP Mukherjee's bust in Kalighat) as well: Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, West Bengal Minister pic.twitter.com/80hD8PDAay

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2018

Those who vandalised Shyama Prasad’s bust must be arrested, says BJP

Syama Prasad Mukherjee is a patriot who laid his life for the nation. He is son of #WestBengal. Those guilty should be arrested immediately. CM Mamata Banerjee should punish those who vandalised his statue. We strongly condemn this incident: Sidharth Nath Singh, WB BJP In-charge pic.twitter.com/4lA9vr00nk

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2018

TDPK worker surrenders after hurling petrol bomb at BJP HQ in Coimbatore

#UPDATE Petrol bomb hurled at BJP Coimbatore office: Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam(TDPK) worker Balu surrenders before Police. #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/zLHF891Mje

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2018

Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan calls for an all-party meeting at 1 pm

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has called an all party floor leaders meeting at 1 pm today (file pic) #BudgetSession pic.twitter.com/pAAo5g58SM

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2018

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. 

Uproar in Rajya Sabha over vandalism of statues, Andhra Pradesh Special Category Status issue and Cauvery Management Board constitution, house adjourned till 2 pm pic.twitter.com/Pm0sOJgNk8

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2018

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.

I have removed that admin who posted the comment about #Periyar and have deleted the post. I totally condemn vandalizing statues and violence. I express heartfelt regret for my Facebook post: H Raja,BJP pic.twitter.com/e8FTPHUFEm

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2018

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.

#BREAKING -- A PIL has been filed in MHC by advocate Surya Prakasam in wake of H Raja’s Facebook post on #PeriyarStatue. MHC has agreed to hear the case in the afternoon. #StatuePolitics #MurtiRevolt pic.twitter.com/LFjnHhPGwS

— News18 (@CNNnews18) March 7, 2018

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. 

#StatuePolitics -- Bharatiya Janta Party West Bengal condemns the barbaric act of vandalising the statue of Syama Prasad Mookerjee at Keoratola Mohasoshan, Kolkata: West Bengal BJP General Secretary (1/2)

— News18 (@CNNnews18) March 7, 2018

#StatuePolitics 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 WB by this shameful act. We will rebuild it with more grace:General Secretary WB BJP (2/2)

— News18 (@CNNnews18) March 7, 2018

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.”

As a party, we in the BJP believe 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.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 7, 2018

The recent issue on destroying of statues is extremely unfortunate. We as a party do not support the bringing down of anybody’s statue.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 7, 2018

Our main aim is to bring a transformative change in the lives of the people. We are humbled by the fact that our ethos and work has endeared us to people all across India and our alliance is serving in over 20 states as a part of the Government.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 7, 2018

Our main aim is to bring a transformative change in the lives of the people. We are humbled by the fact that our ethos and work has endeared us to people all across India and our alliance is serving in over 20 states as a part of the Government.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 7, 2018

I have 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.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 7, 2018

The BJP will always remain committed to ideals of openness and constructive politics through which we can positively impact people’s lives as well as build a New India.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 7, 2018

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:

Incidents of toppling of statues have been reported from certain parts of the country. MHA has taken serious note of such incidents of vandalism.

— गृहमंत्री कार्यालय, HMO India (@HMOIndia) March 7, 2018

PM Shri @narendramodi spoke to HM Shri @rajnathsingh in this regard and has expressed strong disapproval of such incidents.

— गृहमंत्री कार्यालय, HMO India (@HMOIndia) March 7, 2018

MHA has asked the states that they must take all necessary measures to prevent such incidents.

— गृहमंत्री कार्यालय, HMO India (@HMOIndia) March 7, 2018

Modi “strongly” disapproves of incidents of statue toppling, says MHA

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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.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strongly disapproved incidents of vandalism reported from certain parts of the country. Incidents of toppling statues have been reported from certain parts of the country (file pic) pic.twitter.com/nS1YwYl1Ng

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2018

Updates for 7 March begin

Intervene to end violence in Tripura: CPM tells Modi

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“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.

The party also gave a list of the alleged violent incidents and said 514 people were injured and 196 houses set on fire.

“After the election results were out, goons of the BJP have unleashed a reign of terror and all-round attacks on members and supporters of the CPI(M), their houses, party offices and mass organisation offices throughout the state,” said the memorandum which was submitted to Modi in Parliament

Another Lenin statue brought down in Sabroom Motor Stand

A statue of Vladimir Lenin brought down at Sabroom Motor Stand in #Tripura. pic.twitter.com/JLe3tFwEJO

— ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2018

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.

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)”

In this 1978 #ExpressArchive photo, then Minister of External Affairs Atal Bihari Vajpayee lays a wreath at the mausoleum of #Lenin at the Red Square, Moscow. pic.twitter.com/tKViy5iKq9

— Picture India (@PictureIndia) March 6, 2018

Biplab Deb meets Tripura governor, swearing-in on 9 March

Called upon to the Hon'ble Governor @tathagata2 ji along with Dy. CM elect Jishnu Dev Varma ji to stake claim to form the Government. Swearing in ceremony to take place on 9th of March 2018 pic.twitter.com/TV2yBe8B9R

— Biplab Kumar Deb (@BjpBiplab) March 6, 2018

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. 

Home Minister Rajnath Singh has also called up Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy and the DGP and asked them to ensure peace and check violence till a new government is installed in the state.

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.

“The Bharatiya Janata Party or its ideology does not propagate violence but the Left does,” the BJP leader asserted, a day after a five-feet fibreglass statue of the former Soviet leader was pulled down by suspected BJP workers

CPM workers hold protest in Kolkata after Lenin statue pulled down

Members of CPI(M) stage a protest march in Kolkata against statue of Vladimir Lenin brought down at Belonia College Square in Tripura. #LeninStatue pic.twitter.com/7hRfWP8ZIi

— ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2018

Karnataka Congress president G Parameshwara criticises BJP over Tripura violence

A statue of communist leader Vladimir Lenin has been removed using a bulldozer in less than 48 hours in Tripura, thanks to BJP. This is the first accomplishment of the new government - unleashing violence.#Lenin

— Dr. G Parameshwara (@DrParameshwara) March 6, 2018

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

Didn’t hear you protest when these statues were toppled in Eastern Europe. Or when they tore down statues of tyrants in Iraq and Libya. Some statues are symbols of tyranny and tyrants risk being toppled. https://t.co/gDIxTR4qzt

— Tavleen Singh (@tavleen_singh) March 6, 2018

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

#WATCH: Statue of Vladimir Lenin brought down at Belonia College Square in Tripura. pic.twitter.com/fwwSLSfza3

— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2018

IPFT may get post of Deputy CM but party mum possible names

Announcement of Dy CM after Parliamentary Board meeting is BJP's alone. We have discussed this with other senior leaders & will discuss this with Himanta Biswa Sarma & Ram Madhav tomorrow. There's no question of us being pleased or displeased: NC Debbarma, IPFT President #Tripura pic.twitter.com/7qCYVL5IIY

— ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2018

Watch: CPM cadres’ houses burnt, party offices razed in Tripura; fire at Mandi Bazar

The violence that swept Tripura hours after a BJP win, saw vandalisation of CPM cadres’ homes and shops while the Left party’s offices were razed. Here is a video of the damage caused in Mandi Bazar on Monday. 

Courtesy: Ayub Sarkar | 101 Reporters

Meanwhile, state gears up to get new chief minister 

The swearing in ceremony will be on 9th March at 10.30 am. We have sent invitation to the PM and all CMs of BJP govt. I hope PM accepts the invitation: Biplab Kumar Deb, #Tripura CM designate pic.twitter.com/7FJxLVXaH2

— ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2018

Media reports say Rajnath Singh spoke to Tripura governor, DGP

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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

CPM cadres’ houses burnt, party offices razed in Tripura within 48 hours of BJP coming to power: NDTV

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

Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhakam (TPDK) files a police complaint against BJP leader H Raja for threatening to raze Periyar statues in Tamil Nadu; seeks immediate action and criminal case against him. #StatuePolitics pic.twitter.com/tZ85Jw0lMS

— News18 (@CNNnews18) March 6, 2018

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. 

#FallOfLenin -- Left can interpret what it wants. My job is to maintain law & order and I am doing that: Tripura Governor, Tathagata Roy to CNN-News18 #StatuePolitics

— News18 (@CNNnews18) March 6, 2018

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.”

What one democratically elected government can do another democratically elected government can undo. And vice versa https://t.co/Og8S1wjrJs

— Tathagata Roy (@tathagata2) March 5, 2018

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.

Narendra Modi calls BJP’s victory in Tripura ‘a victory of ideology’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday dubbed the BJP’s win over the Left in Tripura a “victory of ideology” and said the party needs to work hard to maintain its winning electoral streak, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar told reporters.

Modi was addressing the BJP parliamentary party meeting, where he was greeted with the slogan, ‘Jeet hamari jari hai, ab Karnataka ki bari hai’ (Our winning run continues, now is the turn of Karnataka).

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.

Subramanian Swamy calls Lenin a terrorist

#Lenin to videshi hai, ek parakar se antankwadi hai, aise vyakti ka humare desh mein statue? Woh statue Communist party ke headquarters ke andar rakh sakte hain aur pooja karen :Subramanian Swamy pic.twitter.com/DUDVFApSCT

— ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2018

All ideologies should be supported: JD(U) MP

“This is wrong. People of this nation believe in different ideologies. It is true that Lenin’s statues were demolished after end of ruling in Russia. But India is not Russia,” The Indian Express quoted JD(U) MP Harivansh as saying.

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.

CPM accuses BJP of ‘unprecented reign of terror’

The CPM accused the BJP and the IPFT of unleashing an “unprecedented reign of terror” throughout the state after the election results were announced on 3 March. 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 CPM 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.

CPM says slogans raised, police arrest one

“After pulling down the statue, ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ slogan was raised,” Datta said. Superintendent of Police of South Tripura district, Monchak Ipper said the driver of  the JCB excavator machine was arrested and later released on bail. The statue would be handed over to the authorities of Belonia Municipal Corporation, the SP said.

Lenin statue pulled down, CPM holds BJP responsible

A statue of communist icon Lenin has been pulled down by some people with an excavator machine at Belonia in South Tripura district, the police said, with the CPM holding BJP workers responsible for it. Days after the Left Front was voted out of power in the state, Tripura CPM district secretary Tapas Datta said the five-feet-tall fibre glass statue, which was unveiled by the party’s politburo member Prakash Karat a few months ago, was pulled down allegedly by BJP workers on Monday at College Square in Belonia, about 110 kilometres from Agartala.

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