Don't shift Ambedkar statue, say Dalit students

Earlier this week, BMRCL MD, N Sivasailam had written to the State government stating that the Corporation will need an additional Rs 100 crore if the statue is not moved.

G Govindaiah, pursuing his MA in History, led the protest. He claimed that if need be, the students will ensure that the dalit community contributed Rs 100 crore.

“Students of BU and dalits across the State are willing to contribute Rs 100 crore, but we will not let anyone touch the statue of Ambedkar,” Govindaiah said.

“A project worth Rs 12,000 crore can easily take an additional cost of Rs 100 crore. Also, BMRCL can easily find alternative ways to go about constructing the station,” added another student, Sathyamurthy. However, both Sivasailam and BMRCL PRO B S Chavan refused to comment.

The Ambedkar statue is surrounded by boulders which require to be blasted. Sivasailam had earlier stated that it was for the good of the statue that they planned to shift it as blasting may damage the statue.