Under the cover of darkness, local police in West Bengal’s Durgapur city reportedly reinstalled a massive 20-foot statue of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, successfully meeting a strict 24-hour ultimatum issued by Congress workers.
The late-night operation was carried out discreetly to avoid media attention and prevent public gathering after the statue’s sudden removal sparked intense political friction in West Bengal’s Paschim Bardhaman district, say sources.
Background of the Removal
The iconic cement statue of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, originally installed in the early 1980s on land belonging to the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), stood near a school premises currently leased to a meditation centre.
Tensions escalated dramatically when Congress
activists discovered that the structure had been uprooted using a heavy-duty crane and abandoned in a nearby forested area.
The party leadership immediately alleged that the historic monument was cleared to make space for a local event, leading to widespread outrage and a firm 24-hour deadline for its complete reinstatement to its original spot.
Political Blame Game
The incident triggered a sharp war of words across political lines:
- Congress Accusation: Local leaders claimed the statue was deliberately uprooted using heavy machinery and demanded immediate arrests alongside the restoration.
- BJP Defence: Ruling party leaders strongly denied any involvement, asserting that internal rivalries and local political dynamics were responsible for the displacement.
Purification and Homage Follow Restoration
Following the overnight reinstallation by the authorities, Congress workers gathered at the site to perform a ritualistic cleansing, pouring milk over the statue to mark its return. Shortly after, political leaders across party lines visited the spot to offer floral tributes, effectively bringing the immediate confrontation to a close while local law enforcement continues to monitor the area.
