The Dalit-majority village of Nangal in Phillaur has faced repeated attacks on its statues of Dr BR Ambedkar, with vandalism occurring twice recently—on March 31 and June 2. Despite numerous Ambedkar statues in the region, Nangal has been targeted repeatedly, causing tension among residents.
Nangal, historically connected to Ambedkar’s legacy and strongly Dalit and politically conscious, commissioned a new statue after the first attack, unveiled on Ambedkar Jayanti. However, the statue was vandalized again before protective measures were fully in place. CCTV cameras had been installed following the first incident.
Villagers view these acts as deliberate provocations aimed at disrupting communal harmony between Dalits and Sikhs, who have coexisted peacefully for generations. They are currently staging a dharna demanding swift arrests and action.
For the community, the statue is not just a monument but a symbol of equality, education, and resistance.
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