Tension prevails over Shivaji Statue row in Warangal

Metro India News | WARANGAL 

A dispute over the proposed installation of a Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue triggered tension in Bollikunta village of Khila Warangal mandal on Thursday, with authorities deploying heavy police forces to maintain law and order.

Hundreds of people gathered in the village after Hindu organisations and the BJP called for the installation of the Shivaji statue at a road junction. At the same time, members of the Dalit community and other residents assembled to oppose the move, objecting to the statue being erected beside an existing Dr. B.R. Ambedkar statue. As the situation grew tense, police intensified security across the village to prevent clashes between the two groups. Mamnoor ACP Venkatesh visited the spot and urged both sides to remain calm and resolve the issue peacefully.

He also appealed to people from outside the village not to enter the area, saying only local residents should participate in discussions. District Collector Dr. Satya Sharada, accompanied by senior revenue and police officials, held talks with representatives of both groups in an effort to ease the standoff. Officials are reportedly seeking the opinion of the majority of villagers before taking a final decision on the installation of the statue.

The controversy has been brewing for several days after some villagers, backed by Hindu organisations, performed Bhoomi Pooja for the proposed Shivaji statue despite opposition from sections of the Dalit community. On the night of July 17, supporters brought the statue to the village junction and placed it there. However, police, revenue and municipal authorities later removed it under tight security and shifted it from the municipal office premises at Nakkalagutta to another undisclosed location to prevent further unrest.