Representative image showing a Mahatma Gandhi statue.
Credit: iStock Photo
Mumbai: In a shocking incident, a 35-year-old man, who is suspected to be mentally unstable, attempted to desecrate the statue of Mahatma Gandhi off the Pune railway station - inviting strong reactions.
The accused was identified as Suraj Shukla who originally hails from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.
Shukla lives in the Vishrantwadi area in Pune and sells religious books, ‘rudraksh' and prayer beads made of it.
The incident took place on Sunday night.
He had a sharp sickle type object in his hand through which he was trying to desecrate the statue of the Father of the Nation after climbing on the pedestal.
The locals who noticed the incident overpowered him and handed over to the local police.
“We received information, after which the police reached the spot immediately and arrested the individual. An investigation is currently underway. Initial investigations have revealed that his sister passed away a few months ago and since then he was mentally disturbed,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Dilip Mohite said on Monday.
According to reports, Shukla has been associated with right-wing groups, however, police have not commented on this so far.
Meanwhile, Mahatma Gandhi’s great-grandson Tushar Gandhi said, “I have been informed that someone vandalised the statue of Bapu’s statue outside Pune Station. Pune was headquarters of the Savarkarite Gang at the forefront of Gandhi hate who murdered Bapu. As a descendant I am hurt but I prefer that stone statues are vandalised not humans.”
The Pune Congress unit, led by its in-charge, Arvind Shinde, held a protest near the Gandhi statue at the Pune railway station. Congress workers performed a ‘dudhabhishek’ of the statue and called for strict legal measures to prevent similar acts in the future.
“It is disgraceful incident against a national symbol of peace and non-violence," Shinde said, adding, “How such people could be mentally challenged? He wore saffron clothes and knew well whose statue was going to be damaged. There are many other statues of political leaders, but he chooses Gandhi’s statue? We are protesting to demand strict action against him and send him to jail.”
The NCP (SP) Monday raised this issue in the Legislative Assembly and demanded strong action.
“Gandhi ji was killed by Naturam Godse but the thoughts of Gandhi ji still remain with us,” said NCP MLC Amol Mitkari.