After this entire incident, a situation of caste tension has arisen in Gwalior. On the one hand, Ambedkar followers are calling this entire incident a conspiracy to suppress the voice of Dalits.
Bhopal. The dispute that arose in the Gwalior High Court Bench premises over the installation of the statue of Constitution maker Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar has now turned into caste tension. On Saturday evening, this tension took a violent turn when some lawyers of the Bar Association beat up Bhim Army leader Rupesh Kane and his associates in the presence of police force. This incident took place outside the City Center premises of the High Court, where heavy police force was already deployed.
The roots of this entire incident were laid when the news of the plan to install the statue of Baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar in the High Court premises came to light. A group of Ambedkarite lawyers reached the High Court with the statue and talked about installing the statue on May 14. They claimed that they have received permission for this. A crane was also called for this, but as soon as the installation process started, the Bar Association protested against it and created a ruckus.
The Bar Association says that the seven-member building committee of the High Court has not given permission to install the statue. They argue that such activities in the judicial complex affect the dignity of the court.
Bheem Army arrived after the lawyers’ warning
After the clash on Thursday, a group of lawyers had openly warned that whatever happens in the court premises, Ambedkar’s statue will not be allowed to be installed. They had said that “This is a court, not a street or a locality, let the Bhim Army come and show itself here.” In response to this warning, Bhim Army leader Rupesh Kane reached outside the High Court premises with his team on Saturday evening.
Police force was already deployed there, but as soon as the court time ended at 5 pm and the lawyers came out, the situation worsened after seeing Rupesh Kane. Despite the police stopping them, the lawyers surrounded the Bhim Army leaders and attacked them.
VIP Road became a battlefield
The VIP road outside the High Court turned into a battlefield for some time. Police, lawyers and Bhim Army members were seen all around. As soon as slogans of Jai Bhim were raised, the anger of the lawyers flared up and they beat Rupesh Kane and his companions with kicks and punches. The police tried to control the situation and removed the Bhim Army leaders from there and took them to a safe place.
In a conversation with The Mooknayak, Bhim Army leader Rupesh Kane said that he was standing outside the High Court premises, when suddenly a group of lawyers came and attacked him. According to Rupesh Kane, the attacking lawyers had sticks. They beat him badly by throwing him on the ground and allegedly abused him with casteist slurs.
Roopesh said that a complaint has been lodged with the police about this incident, but the police say that they are investigating the matter. No FIR has been registered in this case so far.
In view of the situation after the uproar, the administration has increased the police force. A large number of police forces are now deployed around the High Court premises. Regarding this entire dispute, Additional SP Krishna Lalchandani said, “A decision was to be taken on when and how the statue would be installed. Before this, a dispute arose between the two parties. The police have brought the situation under control. Now the next hearing will be held on May 19.”
Police’s role under question
After this incident, questions are also being raised on the role of the police. Eyewitnesses say that the police was present on the spot, but it did not make enough efforts to stop the lawyers. The Bhim Army has expressed displeasure over this and alleged that this attack was pre-planned and the administration remained a mute spectator.
Tension in Gwalior
After this entire incident, a situation of caste tension has arisen in Gwalior. On the one hand, while Ambedkar followers are calling this entire incident a conspiracy to suppress the voice of Dalits, a section of lawyers is calling it a case of violation of the dignity of the judicial complex.
Now the entire matter will be heard on May 19, in which it will be decided whether permission will be given to install Ambedkar’s statue or not. At present, there is tight security in the Gwalior High Court premises and the district administration has intensified preparations to deal with any situation.
Courtesy: Ankit Pachauri, Hindi News