Varanasi: Tension prevailed in parts of Varanasi after an incident involving alleged disrespect to a statue of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar led to widespread outrage and political protests. The police have arrested three accused in connection with the incident and invoked stringent provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The incident occurred in Nathaiipur village under the Phulpur police station area, where three youths allegedly spat on a statue of Dr Ambedkar and later set it on fire. The accused have been identified as Virendra alias Sheru Mishra, a resident of Karampur in Badagaon, Gulab Rajbhar from Gangakala, and Satish Singh. A video related to the incident reportedly went viral on social media, further intensifying public anger.
Following the incident, several political and social organisations, including the Azad Samaj Party, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Bhim Army, Samajwadi Party, and Congress, staged a protest demanding the immediate arrest of the accused. Protesters blocked the Babatpur-Jamalapur road for nearly four hours, disrupting traffic and daily life. The agitation was called off only after senior police officials, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), assured strict action against those responsible.
Acting swiftly, the police constituted a special team to investigate the matter. On Thursday, two of the accused, Gulab Rajbhar and Satish Singh, were arrested and sent to judicial custody. The main accused, Sheru Mishra, was arrested on Saturday morning at around 7:30 am from Babatpur Chauraha while allegedly attempting to flee.
According to police sources, all three accused have been booked under relevant sections of the SC/ST Act. After his arrest, Sheru Mishra was taken to the police station, where he publicly apologised in front of Dr Ambedkar’s photograph, stating that he would not repeat such an act in the future. A crowd gathered outside the police station as the developments unfolded.
Police officials stated that the prompt arrests were intended to send a clear message that any form of insult to Dr Ambedkar or attempts to disturb social harmony would not be tolerated. Authorities have appealed to the public to maintain peace and refrain from spreading rumours as the legal process continues.
