http://expressbuzz.com/states/andhrapradesh/No-place-for-YSR-at-Kadapa-Ambedkar-circle/202368.html
No place for YSR at Kadapa Ambedkar circle Express News Service First Published : 30 Aug 2010 04:22:11 AM ISTLast Updated : 30 Aug 2010 07:38:38 AM IST KADAPA: A tense situation prevailed in the town today when Dalit organisations, taking objection to the move for installation of a YSR statue at BR Ambedkar Circle, destroyed the arrangements being made for construction of a pedestal for the YSR statue. The protesting Dalit leaders contended that the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar had been installed at the circle some 15 years ago and it was not proper to install a YSR statue at the same place now. After submitting a memorandum to district collector Sasibhushan Kumar urging him to withdraw the permission, if any, given for installation of YSR statue, they organised a protest procession from the collector's bungalow to the Ambedkar Circle. They removed the wooden scaffolding arranged for centring works and burnt it.Ambedkar Mission district secretary A Sampat Kumar, Mala Mahanadu state secretary JV Ramana, MRPS state vicepresident KC Lakshmaiah, Erukala Hakkula Sangham state secretary Subbarayudu, and leaders of Jai Bheem SC, ST Employees Union and SC and ST Employee Union threatened dire consequences if any other statue was installed at the Ambedkar Circle. "We will not remain silent if the sentiments of Dalits are hurt. Be it an individual or a political party, we will not hesitate to fight,'' they warned. Mayor P Ravindranath Reddy and Congress activists went to the circle on coming to know of the development. Taking stock of the situation and the volatile mood of the mob, the mayor assured the protesters that a YSR statue would not be installed there. The Dalit leaders then asked the Congress activists to remove the stones and other paraphernalia being used for construction of the pedestal from the place within 24 hours. "If not done, we will not be responsible for the consequences,'' they warned. PRP activists led by their leaders Hariprasad, Shantaiah, Suresh and Obulesu, staged a relay hunger strike at the Ambedkar Circle, objecting to the installation of a YSR statue there. They also demanded withdrawal of the proposal to install 23 YSR statues in the town.
