Gwalior: A dispute over the proposed installation of a statue of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar in the premises of the Gwalior bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court took a violent turn on Saturday, as a heated confrontation between advocates and members of the Bhim Army escalated into physical assault.
According to eyewitnesses, members of the Bhim Army arrived at the High Court premises in the afternoon and raised slogans such as “Jai Bhim,” triggering tensions among the legal fraternity present. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the group engaged in a verbal altercation with lawyers, leading to a scuffle at the court’s main gate.
Lawyers alleged that the Bhim Army members had previously abused a senior advocate over a phone call and had threatened to storm the court premises if the gates were not closed. The confrontation turned physical when agitated lawyers reportedly chased and assaulted Bhim Army member Rupesh Cain. Visuals from the spot show moments of chaos as both groups clashed before police officials intervened.
Police personnel rushed to the scene and managed to restore order, but not before the situation had spiraled out of control. Despite the seriousness of the altercation, no legal action has been initiated against either group as of the time of this report.
In light of the escalating tensions, the Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh has taken cognizance of the matter and summoned key legal officers, including Additional Advocate Generals, senior advocates, and Bar Association representatives, to Jabalpur for a high-level meeting. The meeting is expected to deliberate on the legality of the statue’s installation and the events surrounding the recent disturbances.
The controversy began a few days ago when a section of lawyers proposed the installation of a statue of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar within the High Court premises. A platform for the statue was reportedly constructed without the prior approval of the building committee, leading to strong objections from the Bar Association.
The Bar Association maintained that the installation process violated established norms and was carried out without official sanction. However, lawyers who identify as Ambedkarite expressed support for the statue, even contributing financially to its construction. This ideological divide has further deepened the conflict within the legal community.
Though the issue had remained dormant for a few days, tensions flared again midweek, culminating in Saturday’s confrontation. Legal experts believe the upcoming meeting in Jabalpur could be crucial in defusing the situation and determining the future course of action.
Neither the Bhim Army leadership nor the Bar Association has issued a formal statement following the incident. Police officials remain deployed in the area to prevent further escalation.
As the legal fraternity and civil society await a resolution, the incident has sparked broader debates around representation, legal procedure, and the space for ideological symbols within judicial premises.
