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DIBRUGARH: The removal of a Mahatma Gandhi statue to make way for the construction of a clock tower has led to major protests in Doomdooma, a town in Assam’s Tinsukia district. The 5.5-feet tall statue, which stood at Gandhi Chowk in the town for several years, was removed on Wednesday using an excavator crane.
Former Congress MLA from Doomdooma, Durga Bhumij, spearheaded the protest.He said, “We won’t allow the clock tower to be built in place of the statue of the Father of the Nation. They can construct the clock tower anywhere else, but Gandhi’s statue should remain in its original place. It is an insult to him. Sentiments of the people have been hurt.”
Following a public backlash, BJP MLA from Doomdooma Rupesh Gowala on Thursday assured that a new and taller statue (6.5-feet) of the Mahatma would be constructed at the original site within six months, in addition to the clock tower.
However, despite the assurance of a new statue, residents expressed displeasure over the clock tower coexisting with the statue. Concerns have been raised regarding the symbolic significance of placing the Gandhi statue beneath the clock tower, considered emblematic of British colonial heritage.
“Gandhi led the freedom movement against British rule. His statue should not be overshadowed by the clock tower. It should be built somewhere else,” a local claimed.
Former Congress MLA from Doomdooma, Durga Bhumij, spearheaded the protest.He said, “We won’t allow the clock tower to be built in place of the statue of the Father of the Nation. They can construct the clock tower anywhere else, but Gandhi’s statue should remain in its original place. It is an insult to him. Sentiments of the people have been hurt.”
Following a public backlash, BJP MLA from Doomdooma Rupesh Gowala on Thursday assured that a new and taller statue (6.5-feet) of the Mahatma would be constructed at the original site within six months, in addition to the clock tower.
However, despite the assurance of a new statue, residents expressed displeasure over the clock tower coexisting with the statue. Concerns have been raised regarding the symbolic significance of placing the Gandhi statue beneath the clock tower, considered emblematic of British colonial heritage.
“Gandhi led the freedom movement against British rule. His statue should not be overshadowed by the clock tower. It should be built somewhere else,” a local claimed.
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