The statue of Dr B R Ambedkar installed on the precincts of the Vidhana Soudha has finally been shifted to facilitate the Namma Metro work.
In an early morning operation on Tuesday, the statue was lifted with the help of cranes and shifted to Rose Garden on the premises of the Vidhana Soudha.
The State government had decided to shift the statue to facilitate the Namma Metro underground station work three years ago.
Protests from dalit organisations, however, had stalled the move. Finally, the statue was shifted, following the intervention of the High Court. Leaders of dalit organisations were present to witness the operation.
“It was the wish of the dalit leaders that the statue be shifted to the east of the Vidhana Soudha. Hence we decided to shift it to the Rose Garden which is to the east. The statue has been installed on the pedestal constructed for the purpose,” a senior official told reporters.
To be restored
The official said the Ambedkar statue will be shifted back to its original place once the Metro work is completed and an order to this effect had already been issued.
The shifting operation began at 5.30 am and concluded at 8.30 am, amid heavy police presence.
The Social Welfare department later decorated the statue and prayers were offered in accordance with Buddhist rituals. Principal Secretary, Social Welfare Department, E Venkataiah, Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms Deputy Secretary K S Manjunath, dalit leader Mavalli Shankar and others were present during the shifting.
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