New Delhi: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the removal of statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr BR Ambedkar, and Chhatrapati Shivaji among others from their original place within the Paliament premises.
He alleged that the Lok Sabha Secretariat was 'forced' to issue a 'bogus and manufactured explanation' for the shift.
"Such stunts can no longer save him and his unstable Government from falling," Ramesh said in a post on X.
Pointing out that no discussions were held with any political party on the shift, the Congress leader said, "Rattled by photographs of these shifts that were also put out, late last night, well after 8 PM, the Lok Sabha Secretariat was forced to issue a wholly bogus and clearly manufactured explanation for the shift. There has been NO discussion with any political party on these shifts."
The Congress leader 'revealed' the 'real reason' behind the shifts claiming that these statues were places where for the past 10 years Opposition parties - including the TDP and JDU - would stage peaceful and democratic protests against the Modi Government.
"Clearly the incoming ... PM wants no place next to where Parliament meets where protests, even in a Constitutional manner, against him and his Govt can take place," he said.
Earlier in the day, the Communist Party of India (CPI) Rajya Sabha MP Binoy Viswam wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the removal of statues with "no clarity" on their relocation.
"These statues are not mere metal, brick-and-mortar but the embodiment of our nation's struggle for liberation, equality and indomitable spirit of our people in reshaping our destiny after snatching freedom from colonial clutches," Viswam wrote.
The CPI MP from Kerala further said that the old Parliament Building, now called Samvidhan Sadan, was a living testament to "seminal moments" in our history.
The CPI MP urged Prime Minister Modi not to tamper with inclusive history any further and to reserve places of prominence for national icons like Mahatma Gandhi, Dr Ambedkar and Chhatrapati Shivaji.
The Lok Sabha Secretariat has issued a statement in this regard and said that the relocation of statues has been done for the convenience of visitors. The Secretariat said that all these statues are being installed in Prerana Sthal in the Parliament House Complex itself and the action has been sanctioned by Lok Sabha Speaker.
"This Prerana Sthal is being developed in such a way that the visitors coming to visit the Parliament complex could easily see the statues of these great leaders and take inspiration from their lives and philosophy," a statement issued by the Lok Sabha secretariat read.
"In this Prerana Sthal, arrangements are also being made to provide detailed information to the visitors through modern technology regarding the lives and contributions of our great freedom fighters so that the people coming to visit them could get inspiration from their lives and thoughts. They can also pay their humble tributes to great leaders at this place of reverence," it added. (ANI)
