Police objected to hoisting ‘Jai Bhim’ flag in this city of Rajasthan, know what is the whole controversy
Clash between police and Ambedkarites over ‘Jai Bhim’ flag at Court intersection in Udaipur
Published on: 15 Feb 2024, 12:40 pm
Udaipur – On Thursday, in Udaipur city of Rajasthan, there was a dispute between police personnel and Ambedkarite organization over the installation of ‘Jai Bhim’ flag near the life-size statue of Baba Saheb Ambedkar at Court Square. Baba Saheb’s followers who came to put up the flag were stopped by the police personnel saying that the flag cannot be put up without the permission of the Collector, in this case Ambedkarites say that it is the jurisdiction of the Municipal Corporation to give permission to put up hoardings and flags at the intersections and they should Written approval has been given by the Mayor to put up the flag.
It is noteworthy that the circle located near the District and Sessions Court in the center of the city is also known as Ambedkar Circle where the life-size statue of Baba Saheb Ambedkar is installed. There is also a 50 feet high pole here which had a blue flag with Ashok Chakra written Jai Bhim written on it. But on January 27, this flag was removed by unknown people.
Senior Vice President of Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Welfare Society, Udaipur, Babulal Ghavadi told the media that after the incident of flag theft, we lodged an FIR in Bhupalpura police station but till date the police has not been able to trace those accused. Ghavadi said, “Well, we met SP Saheb to get permission to hoist the new flag again. He told us that the intersections of the city are the property of the Municipal Corporation, hence only he can give permission to hoist the flag.
Babulal Ghavdi, Senior Vice President, Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Welfare Society, Udaipur Source- Voice of the People
Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Welfare Society met Mayor GS Tank in this matter and obtained written permission from him to put up the flag, but when the officials of the society reached the Court Circle on Thursday morning to put up the flag, police personnel and officers came. They were forbidden to put up the flag and when shown the mayor’s permission, said that the flag cannot be put up without the permission of the district administration.
Society officials were upset with this double standards behavior of the police. Babulal Ghavadi told the media that “the flag already installed near the statue of Baba Saheb was taken down by people with unknown criminal tendencies. Despite getting permission to put the flag again, stopping the flag by the police is an insult to Baba Saheb.”
Ghavadi said that the Mayor has given us in writing that we can hoist the flag at our level like before Welfare. His signature and seal are also attached to it. But today the police is telling us to bring permission from the district administration. Now it is not known how people want to insult Baba Saheb by doing this spoiling, want to spoil the Constitution made by Baba Saheb, this situation has happened in our city. We are again appealing to the administration that this is an insult to the creator of the Constitution which should not happen and that too is being insulted by the police personnel which will not be tolerated. If the administration does not give us permission, a huge movement will be launched.”
He further said, “We have information in RTI that of all the flags and religious flags installed at the intersections of the city, till date no permission has been given to any of them from the Municipal Corporation. Therefore, our request is to respect Baba Saheb and the Constitution.” To preserve it, we should be allowed to plant the flag.”
