Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Nehru Statue Restored in Durgapur After Demolition Row
A statue of Jawaharlal Nehru in Durgapur was taken down, causing a political argument.
Police put the 20-foot statue back on Monday evening.
The Congress said the statue had been moved away to make space for a Raksha Bandhan event.
It filed a police complaint and asked for an investigation.
The BJP showed respect by putting garlands on the restored statue.
Congress members washed it with milk.
A local BJP-linked?
No, the local MLA denied the allegations against the BJP.
He said a Congress faction connected with the Trinamool Congress was responsible.
Police restored a 20-foot Jawaharlal Nehru statue in Durgapur on Monday evening after it was reportedly demolished.
The BJP garlanded the restored statue, while the Congress washed it with milk.
Congress alleged that a crane moved the statue to a jungle to make room for a Raksha Bandhan programme.
Congress district president Debesh Chakraborty filed a police complaint and demanded action within 24 hours.
Durgapur Purba MLA Chandrashekhar Bandyopadhyay denied the allegations and blamed a Trinamool Congress-linked Congress faction.
- Who
- The Congress, BJP, police, and Durgapur Purba MLA Chandrashekhar Bandyopadhyay are central to the dispute.
- What
- A 20-foot Jawaharlal Nehru statue was reportedly removed and later restored by police.
- When
- The statue was restored on Monday evening, one day after its demolition reportedly triggered controversy.
- Where
- At a Steel Authority of India-owned school building in Durgapur that is currently leased to a meditation centre.
- Why
- Congress said the statue was removed to create space for a Raksha Bandhan programme, while the MLA disputed that account and blamed a Trinamool Congress-linked Congress faction.
Congress Allegations
MLA’s Denial
Who removed the statue?
Congress Allegations
Congress alleged that the statue was lifted by a crane and dumped in bushes or a jungle, blaming the removal on an effort to make space for a Raksha Bandhan programme.
MLA’s Denial
Durgapur Purba MLA Chandrashekhar Bandyopadhyay denied the allegations and said a Congress faction that had secretly joined hands with the Trinamool Congress was responsible.
What should happen next?
Congress Allegations
Congress demanded police action, an investigation, and restoration of the statue to its previous location.
MLA’s Denial
The MLA said Congress was trying to divert attention and blame the BJP over the issue.
- Statue
- A 20-foot cement statue of Jawaharlal Nehru
- Restoration
- Police restored it on Monday evening
- Original site
- A Steel Authority of India-owned school building
- Current site use
- The school building is leased to a meditation centre
- Congress response
- It filed a police complaint and demanded an investigation
- BJP response
- The party offered garlands to the restored statue
- Congress response ritual
- Congress washed the statue with milk