Cong seek CS nod for installing Ambedkar statue in Panjagutta

HYDERABAD: A Congress delegation led by CLP leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka met Chief Secretary A. Santhi Kumari here on Monday demanding installation of the Dr B.R. Ambedkar statue at Panjagutta.

Following a court’s recent direction to the authorities to hand over the bronze statue of Dr Ambedkar to former MP V. Hanumantha Rao, whose attempt to install it in 2019 was foiled by the administration, the Congress has decided to install it at the same place. Recently some Dalit organisations backed Rao’s idea of installing it at the same place after more than three years.

“We have urged the Chief Secretary to give permission for installation of the statue at the same place. The neglect has been an insult to Babasaheb,” Vikramarka told Deccan Chronicle. Speaking to mediapersons, he said that despite court orders the statue was yet to be handed over to Rao.

Legislator D. Sridhar Babu, who was part of the team, lamented that it was unfortunate that even to get the statue of the architect of the constitution one has to run from pillar to post. He demanded suspension of all officials who had removed the statue in 2019.

Senior party leaders S. Ramulu Naik, G. Vinod and Mallu Ravi were also present.