Clash between BJP, Congress party workers over plaque at Ambedkar statue’s pedestal in Rajasthan

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the Opposition Congress party workers clashed at Bonli in Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur district early on Monday (April 14, 2025) over the removal of a plaque at the pedestal of B.R. Ambedkar’s statue
| Photo Credit: X/@IndiraMeena

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the Opposition Congress party workers clashed at Bonli in Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur district early on Monday (April 14, 2025) over the removal of a plaque at the pedestal of B.R. Ambedkar’s statue at a roundabout in the town. Congress MLA from Bamanwas, Indira Meena, was among those involved in the scuffle.

The plaque was fixed at the pedestal on Sunday during beautification work of the statue, which was unveiled in Bonli two years ago during the Congress regime in the State. The plaque carried the names of Ms. Meena and some other Congress leaders.

When the BJP workers came to know of this, they informed the party leaders in the town. BJP block president Hanuman Dixit and Panchayat Samiti Pradhan Krishan Poswal reached the spot and demanded that the plaque be removed.

Ms. Meena also arrived at the spot and raised objection to the BJP leaders’ demand. In the scuffle which followed, Ms. Meena allegedly grabbed the collar of Mr. Dixit, who was sitting in his car.

Police rushed to the spot on getting information about the clash and brought the situation under control. The plaque was confiscated and kept in safe custody at Bonli police station.

While Mr. Dixit questioned the rationale behind trying to put the plaque for the work at the statue that was already completed two years ago, Ms. Meena alleged that the BJP workers, who were in an inebriated state, stopped the beautification work, removed the plaque, broke the tiles and misbehaved with the police personnel.

The Congress MLA said the conduct of BJP leaders on Ambedkar’s birth anniversary had shown their contempt for the sentiments of Dalits, and claimed that the police did not take action against them because of their party being in power in the State.