Controversy Erupts Over Removal of Mahatma Gandhi Statue in Assam

The removal of Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Assam's Doomdoma town for a clock tower has sparked widespread criticism. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his unawareness of the decision and promised to verify the facts. Local protesters were assured that a new, taller statue would be erected within six months.

Two days after the statue of Mahatma Gandhi was removed to make way for a clock tower in Assam's Doomdoma town, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Friday that he was unaware of such a move and would investigate the facts.

Sarma's statement followed widespread criticism of the Tinsukia administration's decision to dismantle the statue. Responding to a post by Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson Tushar Gandhi, Sarma wrote on X, "I am not aware of this decision taken by the district administration. Let me verify the facts." The chief minister emphasized Assam's indebtedness to Mahatma Gandhi.

"He stood firmly with Bharat Ratna Gopinath Bordoloi when the Congress party led by Nehru wanted to include Assam in Pakistan under the Grouping Plan," Sarma stated on the microblogging site. The statue, located at the town's center, was removed on Wednesday by municipal authorities to accommodate a new clock tower, said locals. Local residents protested the administration's action. Doomdoma MLA Rupesh Gowala assured protesters on Thursday that a new, taller statue of the Father of the Nation would replace the old one in six months, alongside beautification efforts.

BJP legislator Gowala noted that the statue was in a dilapidated state, justifying its replacement. Meanwhile, Tushar Gandhi criticized the move, sharing a news clipping on X and stating, "Not surprising that the BJP government in Assam decided to replace Bapu's statue with a clock tower in Dibrugarh. Their slavish colonial hangover persists."

(With inputs from agencies.)