Jawaharlal Nehru Statue in Allahabad Shifted For Kumbh Mela, Congress Fumes
Irked by the move, the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) held demonstration, saying that it is an attempt to do away with Nehru’s ideology.
Allahabad, Sep 14: A statue of the first Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru in Allahabad was shifted from its original place on Thursday in view of the beautification work that is being undertaken in the city for the upcoming Kumbh Mela. The removal of Nehru's statue left the Congress party fuming. The Congress denounced the move, saying it was an insult to Nehru.
Nehru's statue was removed from Allahabad’s Balsan Chauraha and temporarily shifted to a nearby park. "Due to broadening of the road near the park at Balsan Crossing in view of upcoming Kumbh Mela, former PM Jawahar Lal Nehru ji's statue had to be shifted. It was shifted barely 30 meter away from its original spot with full respect and honour," Allahabad Development Authority said in a statement. PM Narendra Modi to Inaugurate 'Statue of Unity' on October 31: Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani.
Irked by the move, the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) held demonstration, saying that it is an attempt to do away with Nehru’s ideology. The protesters blocked the crane and raised slogans against Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, reported News18. They also questioned why the statue of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay, which is on the same road, was not shifted.
“The statue of late Rajiv Gandhi was vandalised in PM Modi’s constituency Varanasi. Statue of Jawahar Lal Nehru was lifted by crane for removing it in Allahabad. History will remember the arrogance of the BJP. We will not forget these pictures. This is our pain and this will be our inspiration also," Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) Chief Raj Babbar tweeted.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 14, 2018 02:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).