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Police book BJP and Congress workers amid controversy over Parashurama statue
The controversy stems from allegations that a “fake” Parashurama statue was erected for political gain, just months before assembly elections
Bengaluru
Cases have been registered against both Congress and BJP leaders following a dispute surrounding the construction of a Parashurama statue at Bailur near Karkala in Karnataka’s Udupi district, police officials said.
The issue of the Parashurama statue in Karkala has escalated into a statewide controversy, fuelled by concerns about the statue’s authenticity in the Parashurama theme park. Two separate cases have been filed at Karkala town police station, police said
“A case has been registered against Congress leaders who, in their quest for authenticity, removed the protective cover and finishing coating from the bronze statue. Congress workers also scaled the statue in an attempt to validate its original form, leading to charges of defacing the statue and damaging government property,” said an official of Karkala police sation aware of the matter, adding that they have been accused of spreading false information.
On the other hand, BJP leaders conducted a reality check to affirm that the Parashurama statue is indeed made of bronze, resulting in a case registered against them for damaging public property and inciting religious sentiments. “Another police case has been initiated, this time regarding the desecration of a religious site. One Divya Naik has filed a complaint against the BJP leaders,” the police official said.
The controversy stems from allegations that a “fake” Parashurama statue was erected for political gain, just months before assembly elections. It has since been removed in the name of incomplete work. It has been revealed that the original statue consisted of a combination of materials, with only the top portion being constructed of bronze. Congress leaders allege that the BJP has exploited religion under the pretext of honouring the Tulunad’s creator.
Parasurama theme park’s construction occurred on gomala land (government land reserved to pasture animals), despite a government order explicitly prohibiting the allocation of such land for other purposes in March. Allegations of unauthorized work funded by various government departments have further fuelled the dispute,
“We are not against the construction of Parashurama statue ‘’ Congress party leader Shubhda Rao told reporters. He said the genuineness of the statue should be checked, as people have doubts about it. Shubhada Rao emphasised that if the statue is indeed counterfeit, those responsible must face legal consequences.
“Parashurama statue is genuine and constructed entirely of bronze,’’ former minister and Karkala MLA V Sunil Kumar told HT. He clarifies that certain parts of the statue required alterations based on expert advice to ensure public safety and strength. He suggests that baseless allegations serve to politicize the matter, potentially undermining the district’s tourism industry.
A crucial development in the ongoing controversy is the removal of half of the bronze Parashurama statue on Umil Hill in Karkala taluk. During the BJP government, only ₹6.5 crore was allocated for the ₹14.5 crore Parashurama Theme Park project. The Congress government has halted the release of the remaining ₹8 crore. MLA Sunil Kumar expresses readiness to face any investigation, including a CBI inquiry, if concerns of the statue’s authenticity persist.
“The statue was dismantled due to some defects in construction of statue,’’ Udupi DC K Vidya Kumari told HT. She said the lightning proof was not installed earlier , now it will be installed . A team of experts from the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) will meticulously assess each stage of the statue’s construction to ensure its structural integrity and construction would be completed in next two months,” she added.
