Manipal: Dr B R Ambedkar Development Board President Mallajamma directed the District Commissioner to shift the statue of B R Ambedkar which is installed at the corner of District office after alleging that it is a matter of disrespect to a man who fought for equality.  Thus, she said, it should be reinstalled right in front of district office.

During a discussion with Dalits on Thursday she garlanded the statue and criticized the district administration. “As we have kept distance from dalits in our society, the statue too has been installed away from the building. This is mere injustice to such a great personality”, she said.

Denying such an allegation, District officer Kumar clarified, “Gandhiji’s Dandi satyagraha statue has been installed in front of the District Commissioners office whereas BR Ambedkar’s statue is in front of the District Panchayath CEO’s office and not in any corner”.

But Mallajamma was not satisfied with his reply and asked the media gathered as to why they didn’t come across and speak about such an important issue. “The statue must immediately be shifted in front of the District Commissioner’s office. I will speak to district in-charge Vinay Kumar Sorake and also inform the social welfare minister”, she said.

When reporters asked as to what must be done with the existing Gandhi statue in front of District commissioner’s office, she denied having seen any statue there.