With another Ambedkar statue vandalised in Hathras and BJP MP Savitri Bai Phule holding a rally in Lucknow to safeguard SC/ST reservation interests, Dalit politics is gradually assuming centre stage in Uttar Pradesh.

Phule, who has earlier been vocal against the Modi government on the same issue, held a rally at the Kanshi Ram Smriti Upvan here on Sunday, which was attended by Dalits from all over the state. Addressing the rally held under the banner of ‘Save Indian Constitution and save reservation’ (Bhartiya samvidhan aur arakshan bachao rally), the BJP MP said the Constitution and the reservation accorded to SC/ST was under threat, adding that the demand for reservation was a right, it was not tantamount to begging for alms.

She alleged that the Central government was conspiring to put an end to reservation. It was a right bestowed on the Dalits by Babasaheb Ambedkar, she said, and issued a warning to those who would “try to meddle with it”.

Earlier, the MP  had alleged that the central government’s policies were directed against the interests of the SC/ST, Backward Classes and the minorities. Following these policies, the  Constitution and reservation was also under threat, she had said. The BJP MP has also demanded reservation in the private sector.

Even as the BJP MP launched a tirade against the Centre, another incident  of  Ambedkar statue being vandalised in Uttar Pradesh was reported from Hathras. The incident occurred in Nagla Brahman village in the district where some anti-social elements vandalised a statue of Ambedkar installed in a park.

The incident sparked off anger and protests in the area, but timely police intervention helped in cooling down frayed tempers. Police officials said efforts were on to trace the culprits. Meanwhile, steps are being taken to install another Ambedkar statue in the park, according to reports.

This is the third incident of  damage caused to an Ambedkar statue being reported from different parts of the state in the last 24 hours. The first incident occurred in Gohaniya Raj village in Siddhartnagar district where Ambedkar’s statue installed in Buddha Vihar park was desecrated by some anti-social elements on Friday night.

A statue of Dr Ambedkar was also vandalised by some unidentified people in Trivenipuram colony in Allahabad on Friday night. Tension followed when the statue desecration came to light on Saturday morning.

The desecration of  Ambedkar statues has evoked a strong reaction from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Taking a stern view of the incidents, the chief minister has directed the district magistrates and the SPs to ensure the safety of statues of eminent persons . The chief minister said strict action would be taken against the culprits involved in the desecration of the statues.