Ajit Jogi statue uprooted in Gaurela: Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) alleges government shielding culprits, warns of protest
RAIPUR: Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) State President Amit Jogi on Sunday strongly condemned the uprooting of former chief minister Ajit Jogi's statue in Gaurela and accused the state government of shielding the culprits.
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He warned of a major agitation if the statue is not reinstalled at Jyotipur Chowk, Gaurela, by 25 June.
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 25 and 26 May, and dumped in garbage. He claimed 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.
'It has been over two weeks, yet the statue hasn't been reinstated, nor have the accused been apprehended. Everyone sees them, except the police,' Jogi said, calling the incident a 'deliberate insult' to Ajit Jogi and his legacy.
He clarified that the statue was legally installed on land privately owned by the Jogi family and not on government 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 Jogi's statue.
Funds for the statue's platform and garden, amounting to Rs 3.5 lakh, were sanctioned from former MLA Dr Renu Jogi's 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.
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'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 25 June, 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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