FIR lodged after Syama Prasad Mookerjee statue damaged in Ranchi

Authorities in Ranchi have initiated legal proceedings after a statue commemorating Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the founding president of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, was damaged. The Jharkhand Police lodged a first information report (FIR) following the incident, which has sparked strong reactions from the state BJP unit.

The case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions related to wrongful act with intent to cause injury and criminal intimidation. Charges under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, have also been invoked, reflecting the gravity with which authorities are treating the matter.

BJP leaders in Jharkhand have strongly condemned the damage to the statue, describing it as a disrespect to a nationalist figure whose legacy remains significant in India's independence movement. Mookerjee was a prominent freedom fighter and political ideologue who played a key role in shaping India's political landscape in the post-independence era.

The investigation is ongoing as police work to identify those responsible for the incident. The case underscores ongoing tensions surrounding memorials and statues across Indian states, reflecting broader debates about historical figures and national honour.