Dalits re-paint BR Ambedkar's new statue installed in 'saffron' coloured sherwani in blue

#WATCH Badaun: The damaged statue of BR Ambedkar which was rebuilt and painted saffron, re-painted blue by BSP Leader Himendra Gautam. pic.twitter.com/Tntf7shNAN

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 10, 2018

Bharat Singh Jatav, Badaun district president, Aarakshan Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, said, “There is anger among the community members due to the colour of the coat. Saffron is unusual as we have always seen his pictures and statues in dark coloured western outfits, blazer and trousers. It must be repainted.”

Attacking the ruling state government led by Yogi Adityanath the two-timer former BSP MLA from Dataganj in Badaun, Sinod Shakya said, “After painting many buildings saffron across the state, the BJP government now wants to saffronize Ambedkar statues, which is unacceptable. If the statue is not painted blue, we will launch a stir against the district administration.” Mr Shakya also demanded the arrest of the people who were involved in vandalising the statue in the first place.Veeru Sonkar, state general secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Khatik Samaj, said, “The saffron statue of the Dalit icon comes soon after the state government emphasised on ‘Ramji’ as his middle name. The local unit of our organisation will give a memorandum to the Badaun district magistrate condemning the statue’s colour and demand that it be painted blue,” reported TOI.

#WATCH: BSP leader Himendra Gautam, who repainted BR Ambedkar's statue from saffron to blue in Badaun, evades ANI reporter's question 'When the villagers had no objection to the colour of the statue, why was it re-painted to blue? You had earlier said Gautam Buddha wore saffron.' pic.twitter.com/CSHsjmC4cQ

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 10, 2018

Veeru Sonkar, state general secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Khatik Samaj, said, “The saffron statue of the Dalit icon comes soon after the state government emphasised on ‘Ramji’ as his middle name. The local unit of our organisation will give a memorandum to the Badaun district magistrate condemning the statue’s colour and demand that it be painted blue,” reported TOI.

Also read: BR Ambedkar's new statue in 'saffron' coloured sherwani triggers howls of protest; Dalits want it blue