Madhya Pradesh Congress State Chief Jitu Patwari wrote to CJI B.R. Gavai on Friday, requesting his intervention in the Ambedkar statue dispute. The party seeks judicial help to resolve the ongoing controversy quickly and fairly.
Amid the controversy surrounding the proposed installation of B.R. Ambedkar’s statue near the Gwalior bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, the Congress party has entered the battle.
State Congress Chief Jitu Patwari wrote to Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai on Friday, requesting his intervention in the matter.
The proposal for Ambedkar’s statue has sparked a conflict between two groups of lawyers at the Gwalior bench.
In his letter, Patwari stated,
“The proposal for installation of Ambedkar’s statue was initiated with the consent and approval from the court. This initiative was taken to recognise the efforts of Ambedkar and his contribution in shaping India’s Constitution. This effort also reflects our (Congress) respect towards the Constitution and its architect.”
He noted that this legally approved initiative is facing opposition from some individuals, creating obstacles to the statue’s installation.
He added,
“They are not only opposing the installation of Ambedkar’s statue, but hurting the sentiments of the citizens of the country,”
Patwari wrote,
“I (Jitu Patwari) as President of Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee, respectfully seeking your direction to get the Ambedkar’s statue installed with the consent of all sections of the people,”
Recently, a group of lawyers protesting against the installation held a demonstration at the High Court, which escalated into a clash with another group.
The situation intensified when some lawyers allegedly attempted to block the statue’s site by hoisting the national flag there.
According to one group of lawyers, an application for the statue’s installation was submitted to the High Court in February, and a committee was formed to review the request.
The committee initially approved the installation, but objections later prompted a re-evaluation of the decision.
Nevertheless, the Registrar of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Yuval Raghuvanshi, issued an order permitting the statue’s installation.
In a letter dated April 21, the Registrar recommended,
“Since the statue of Ambedkar, who is the maker of the Indian Constitution, has already been installed in the Supreme Court of India, therefore, if a few advocates are opposing, we should ignore the same and work it to be completed accordingly.”