Ambedkar statues vandalised most in BJP rule, says Akhilesh Yadav

LUCKNOW: Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday alleged that the maximum number of statues of B. R. Ambedkar were vandalised during the BJP’s ten-year rule, accusing the government of attempting to send a “false message” ahead of elections through budgetary announcements.

Addressing reporters in Lucknow, the Samajwadi Party chief said, “The most statues of Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar have been vandalised during the BJP government's ten-year rule, and today, the same people responsible for the vandalism are trying to send a false message before the elections by providing budgetary support. But the people of Uttar Pradesh are wise and cautious. Even today, discrimination against Dalits, backward classes, and especially against the PDA continues.”

His remarks came on the 135th birth anniversary of Ambedkar, who was born on April 14, 1891, in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, and is regarded as the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and a champion of social justice.

Yadav also targeted the Uttar Pradesh government over the recent unrest in Noida linked to workers’ protests, alleging administrative failure despite prior knowledge of the situation.

“…What happened in Noida happened because of the failure of this government. The government knew about it, and despite that, they allowed it to happen. If this is a conspiracy, then the Chief Minister and the BJP are responsible for this,” he said.

“The BJP is going to be removed in 2027, and we will all work together to establish the rule of social justice,” Yadav added.

The comments come amid ongoing protests by workers over minimum wage demands in Noida, which turned violent on Monday with incidents of stone-pelting and arson following clashes with police.