Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has expressed concern over reports of the demolition of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Chowk in Tinsukia to make space for the construction of a clock tower.
Reacting to the news, Himanta Sarma stated, “I am not aware of this decision taken by the district administration. Let me verify the facts. Assam owes so much to Mahatma Gandhi. He stood firmly with Bharat Ratna Gopinath Bordoloi when the Congress party led by Nehru wanted to include Assam in Pakistan under the Grouping Plan.”
I am not aware of this decision taken by the district administration. Let me verify the facts. Assam owes so much to Mahatma Gandhi. He stood firmly with Bharat Ratna Gopinath Bordoloi when the Congress party led by Nehru wanted to include Assam in Pakistan under the Grouping… https://t.co/KHlquy4gIz
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 12, 2024
The removal of the 5.5 ft tall statue has sparked widespread protests in Doomdooma, where locals gathered to condemn the act. Demonstrators voiced their outrage over what they see as a disrespectful move towards the revered leader.
Author Tushar Gandhi also criticized the action, posting on X, “Not surprising that the BJP Government in Assam decided to replace Bapu’s statue with a clock tower in Tinsukia. Their slavish colonial hangover persists.”
Protesters are demanding a thorough investigation into the decision and the immediate restoration of the statue.
In response to the outcry, Doomdooma BJP MLA assured on July 11 that a new statue of Gandhi, taller at 6.5 feet, would be erected at the original site within six months, alongside the planned clock tower.
