Congress government's move to install John Bosco statue triggers political slugfest in Assam

GUWAHATI: The Congress government in Assam has decided to install a statue of Italian educationist St John Bosco in Guwahati, provoking a bitter protest from the rival BJP and leading to defacement of the yet to be unveiled statue by some miscreants on August 7.

"We understand the local sentiments but at the same time we must acknowledge the contribution made by John Bosco in the field of education and society at large,” said Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

The chief minister is likely to unveil the statue of the 19th century Italian Roman Catholic priest, who is popularly known as Don Bosco.

The students’ wing of the BJP as well as its women’s wing opposed the decision.

"There are several local leaders. Why is the government not installing their statues?” a member of the women’s wing asked.