Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has raised objections over the relocation of statues of Mahatma Gandhi, B R Ambedkar, and other national leaders within the Parliament complex, urging for their restoration to their original locations. In letters addressed to the Lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha Chairman, Kharge criticized the arbitrary shifting of these statues without consultation, which he contends violates the democratic spirit.
Kharge emphasized the significance of the original placements of these statues, highlighting their symbolic value and importance in the Parliament House complex. He pointed out that decisions regarding the installation and relocation of portraits and statues of national leaders are typically handled by a dedicated committee, which has not been reconstituted since 2019.
"The removal of these statues without proper consultation with relevant stakeholders goes against the established rules and traditions of our Parliament," Kharge wrote. "Therefore, I demand that the statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, and other national leaders, who have made significant contributions to our nation's unity and integrity, be relocated to their original locations with due respect."
The Congress leader, who also serves as the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, expressed strong objection to the recent decisions regarding the statues' relocation. Opposition parties have previously organized protest marches and demonstrations near the relocated statues of Gandhi and Ambedkar within the Parliament complex.
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