Man Arrested for Attempting to Vandalize Mahatma Gandhi Statue at Pune Railway Station
Shukla allegedly wielded a billhook to damage the statue before being apprehended by bystanders
A man identified as Suraj Shukla, suspected to be mentally unstable, was arrested late Sunday night for attempting to desecrate a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Pune Railway Station, police said. The incident, which sparked outrage, saw Shukla allegedly wielding a billhook to damage the statue before being apprehended by bystanders and handed over to authorities.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 2) Milind Mohite confirmed Shukla, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, was caught in the act by locals. “He appeared mentally unstable and was attempting to deface the statue with a sharp tool,” Mohite told PTI, adding that a case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The investigation is ongoing to determine the motive and circumstances.
Congress city unit president Arvind Shinde condemned the act, noting that Shukla climbed the statue’s pedestal to carry out the vandalism. “We strongly denounce this incident. Congress workers will provide security for the statue and stage a protest today,” Shinde said. The incident has heightened local tensions, with calls for stricter measures to protect public monuments.
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