Date:02/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/02/stories/2008110255350800.htm

National

SP protests destruction of Sardar Patel statue

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Alleging that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati and the Pratapgarh District Magistrate were involved in the destruction of a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Samajwadi Party on Saturday urged the Centre to take “strict action” against those responsible.

Speaking to journalists here, SP president Mulayam Singh said the statue, which was to have been unveiled in Pratapgarh on the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel on October 31, was “ordered” razed along with the pedestal. “There can be no bigger insult to the country’s great freedom fighter who inspired generations of people.”

Although the land on which the statue was installed belonged to the gram sabha, the State government tried to make an issue of it. The process of putting up the statue started about four months ago but at that time nobody raised an objection, Mr. Singh said.

District-wide protests

Alleging that Ms. Mayawati earlier showed disrespect to Mahatma Gandhi, he said his party would organise protests in every district in Uttar Pradesh on November 5.