Balaghat: Outrage Over Vandalism of Social Icons in Kansuli; Police Fail to Make Arrests Even After a Week

Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh): A wave of resentment has swept through the Lanji region of Balaghat district following the desecration of statues of national icons in Kansuli village. Despite an eyewitness account and a formal police complaint, the authorities have failed to apprehend the culprits even seven days after the incident, leading to a volatile situation in the area.

The Incident: Eyewitness Account

The shameful act occurred on the intervening night of April 23 (Wednesday and Thursday). Miscreants targeted a dedicated platform in Kansuli village where statues of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Savitribai Phule, and Lord Buddha were installed.

A local boy, who witnessed the act, informed the villagers that an unidentified man wearing a white shirt, half-trousers, and a white scarf (gamcha) covering his face was responsible for the destruction. The vandal pushed the statue of Dr. Ambedkar off its pedestal and threw the statues of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule far from the platform. Interestingly, the statue of Lord Buddha remained untouched.

Political Stir: Congress Seva Dal Demands Action

The perceived administrative lethargy has triggered political protests. On Wednesday, a delegation of the Congress Seva Dal, led by District President Jitu Barve, submitted a memorandum to Joint Collector Pradeep Kaurav.

Jitu Barve expressed his concerns, stating:

“This is not merely an act of vandalism; it is a calculated conspiracy to incite social and communal disharmony in the region. The fact that the police have made no progress despite having a description of the suspect is a serious lapse in governance. We demand the immediate arrest of the perpetrators and the invocation of the National Security Act (NSA).”

Administrative Silence vs. Public Fury

The complainant, Pratima Nagdeve, has reportedly provided the police with names of certain individuals who were previously involved in disputes regarding the statue site. However, Lanji police officials have remained tight-lipped, citing the sensitivity of the investigation.

Followers of the social reformers have warned that if the investigation continues to stall, they will be forced to launch a large-scale public agitation. While the administration has offered assurances of a fair probe, the lack of ground-level results has only added fuel to the fire.