'Mentally unstable' man tries to vandalise Mahatma Gandhi statue in Pune station premises

Pune, Jul 7 (PTI) A 35-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh, suspected to be mentally unstable, allegedly tried to desecrate Mahatma Gandhi's statue installed in Pune railway station premises, police said on Monday.

Some people in the area caught hold of the man after the incident late Sunday night and handed him over to police, who placed him under arrest, they said.

Local Congress workers on Monday staged a protest near the statue, installed opposite the main exit and entrance area of the busy station, demanding stringent action against the man.

The accused, identified as Suraj Shukla, hails from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Deputy Commissioner Of Police (Zone 2) Milind Mohite said.

"The man looked mentally unstable. As per family members, recently his sister died and since then he has been disturbed. When he was caught by police, they found some religious books which were based on life, culture and religion, and also a 'billhook' (sharp weapon). Using the same weapon, he was trying to desecrate the statue," he said.

During interrogation, Shukla told police he had purchased the billhook from Wai in adjoining Satara district to peel off coconuts, said the officer.

Mohite said his wife works at an IT firm and she went out of the city four to five days ago.

Asked if he was affiliated to any radical outfit, Mohite maintained that so far no such connection has come to light.

"We have seized his phone and will investigate his background," he said.

Ravindra Gaikwad, senior inspector at the Bundgarden police station, said the man was produced before a court, which sent him to jail under 14-day judicial custody.

Pune city Congress president Arvind Shinde alleged the man climbed on the pedestal of the statue and tried to desecrate it.

Local Congress workers staged a protest near the statue and Shinde along with other party leaders performed 'doodh abhishek' (a ritual involving pouring of milk) at the structure.

"A large number of party workers staged a protest at the statue and demanded stern action against the man," Shinde said.

NCP (SP) leader and Lok Sabha MP from Baramati in Pune district Supriya Sule also condemned the incident.

"This act is extremely outrageous. It underscores the deep-seated hatred certain ideologies still hold towards Mahatma Gandhi and his principles but every time, an attack was made on Gandhiji, the idea that Gandhi only grew stronger. We condemn the incident and seek stringent action against the person," said Sule in a social media post on 'X'. PTI SPK GK RSY