The Assam State Commission for Minorities has sought a detailed report from the government on the vandalisation and desecration of the statue of Don Bosco on Friday.
Local organisations objected to the Don Bosco Society's bid to put up the statue of the 19th century Catholic saint and education pioneer in Guwahati, saying he did not belong alongside freedom fighters and indigenous greats.
Following a meeting on Saturday evening, the panel headed by chairman Abdul Muhib Mazumdar said the incident was undemocratic and against the secular spirit of the country.
"It is shocking and painful. Such acts of destructive misadventures will harm and damage our secular society,"" a statement from the minorities panel said.
It added that the panel would be writing to Assam chief secretary and director general of polce, asking them to submit a detailed report on the whole incident.
Don Bosco's statue, based on the Turin (Italy) model and designed by a sculptor from West Bengal, was to have marked the saint-educationist's 200th birth anniversary.
The Assam government had permitted the Don Bosco Society to install the statue. But various organisations such as ABVP and affiliates of All Assam Students' Union pointed to Don Bosco's 'Italian connection' having influenced the go-ahead.
Meanwhile, the police in Guwahati has rounded up four persons for vandalising the Don Bosco’s statue. They are being questioned to figure out who their ring leader is.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, the police in Guwahati has rounded up four persons for vandalising the Don Bosco’s statue. They are being questioned to figure out who their ring leader is.
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