Politics of colour: Ambedkar's saffron statue re-painted blue in UP

A 5-foot-tall saffron statue of Dalit icon Bhimrao Ambedkar, freshly installed after a previous one was damaged, was repainted blue today morning amid questions over the colour choice in Kuwargaav village in this western Uttar Pradesh district.

According to officials, a nearly three feet tall statue of Ambedkar was damaged Friday night by some anti-social elements after which it was replaced by a new one, saffron in colour.

However, it was re-painted blue this morning, an official said.

Sub Divisional Magistrate (Sadar) Parasnath Maurya said, "The previous statue of Babasaheb, shortlisted by a committee of the police and district administration, was barely three feet high. Later, a saffron statue was selected. The cost of this statue was Rs 22,000 and it was paid by the committee."
Asked about the saffron hue, the SDM said, "The committee members had brought blue paint along, but the statue was installed before giving it a blue coat. Today, the statue has been repainted in blue."