‘BJP govt shielding those who uprooted ex-CM Jogi's statue'
Raipur: Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) state president Amit Jogi on Sunday strongly condemned the uprooting of the statue of former chief minister Ajit Jogi in Gaurela and accused the state govt of shielding the culprits.
He warned of a major agitation if the statue is not reinstalled at Jyotipur Chowk, Gaurela, by June 25.
Amit Jogi said that the act was carried out in collusion with local officials and said the culprits were later seen having tea with the Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi district in-charge minister at a guest house, instead of being arrested.
Addressing a press conference at his Raipur residence on Sunday, the former MLA Amit Jogi alleged that the statue of Ajit Jogi, which stood on private land owned by the Jogi family, was uprooted using a hydra machine in the intervening night of May 25 and 26, and dumped in garbage.
It has been over two weeks, yet the statue hasnt been reinstated, nor have the accused been apprehended.
Everyone sees them, except the police, Amit Jogi said, calling the incident a deliberate insult to Ajit Jogi and his legacy.
He also mentioned that the statue was legally installed on land privately owned by the Jogi family and not on govt property. The land, he said, was part of a property acquired before 1932 by the late Menzies and later transferred through a valid Power of Attorney to Atul Arthur in 2020.
In 2021, a No-Objection Certificate was issued by the landowners for the installation of a garden and Ajit Jogis statue. Funds for the statues platform and garden, amounting to Rs 3.5 lakh, were sanctioned from former MLA Dr Renu Jogis MLA fund, with Gaurela Municipality appointed as the construction agency.
Amit Jogi rejected claims that the statue was removed to install one of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, saying the municipal resolution pertained to Tikar Bypass, not Jyotipur Chowk.
We support installing both statues, but they must be placed at their rightful locations, he said.
He further accused BJP leaders of engaging in statue politics and urged them to act ethically.
"Ajit Jogi belongs to every Chhattisgarhi. Uprooting his statue is not only illegal and insensitive, but it also reflects a narrow, destructive mindset", he said.
Jogi announced that if the statue is not reinstated at its original spot by June 25, it would be brought to chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai's residence in Raipur, demanding its formal unveiling.
"The CM once promised to visit Gaurela for the unveiling. Since he didn't, we'll bring Jogi Ji to his doorstep," he added.
He concluded by forgiving those involved in the act and said copies of a book authored by Ajit Jogi would be sent to them, urging them to read Jogi Ji and understand him. Dr Renu Jogi also condemned the act and appealed for swift justice and reinstallation of the statue.
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