Removal of statues 'violates spirit of democracy': Mallikarjun Kharge

New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, in his capacity as leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, on Wednesday wrote to the Chairman, Rajya Sabha and the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, asking them to get the statues of Mahatma Gandhi and BR Ambedkar relocated to the original location in the Parliament Complex.

While this followed the Opposition disengaging itself with the government's move to shift all statues in the complex to a specially created 'Prerna Sthal' near the new Parliament House, the timing of the letter also advertises the Opposition resolve to rake up the matter in both the Houses of Parliament when the session starts next week.

After repeating in toto his written statement of objection last week, Kharge told both the presiding officers: "I am constrained to state this with anguish that all this has now been brought to naught in an arbitrary and unilateral manner... Hence, such decisions made without any proper discussion and deliberation with relevant stakeholders are against the rules and traditions of our Parliament. Therefore, I demand that the statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Ambedkar and other national leaders who greatly contributed for the unity and integrity of our nation must be relocated to their original locations with due respect and regard".


He said that the removal of the statues "violates the basic spirit of our democracy" and added that the placement of Mahatma Gandhi's statue in front of the Parliament building was done after due deliberations and it also holds immense value in India's democratic polity.

Rahul cuts B-day cake at AICC
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday celebrated his 54th birthday at the Congress headquarters here by cutting a cake with party president Mallikarjun Kharge and AICC functionaries, including his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.