Lok Sabha Question No. 450 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-27
Subject: Demolition of Statues
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Tejpratap Singh,Yadav, KAMAL NATH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *450

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  MARCH, 2018 /CHAITRA 6, 1940 (SAKA)

DEMOLITION OF STATUES

*450. SHRI TEJ PRATAP SINGH YADAV: SHRI KAMAL NATH:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether incidents of vandalism and demolition of statues have recently been reported in various parts of the country including Tripura and Tamil Nadu;

(b)  if  so,  the  details  of  such  cases  reported,  persons  arrested  and  the action taken against them during the last one year and the current year, State-wise;

(c) whether the Union Government has sought reports from the concerned States in this regard and if so, the response received thereon;

(d) the details of advisories issued to the States/UTs in this regard and the extent to which the State Governments/UT Administrations have followed the advisories issued by the Union Government; and

(e)  the  other  measures  taken  by  the  Union  Government  to  prevent/curb such incidents in future and maintain peace and harmony in the country?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

## STATEMENT IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION  NO. *450 FOR ANSWER ON 27.03.2018 REGARDING 'DEMOLOTION OF STATUES'

- (a): Yes, Madam.
- (b): National  Crime  Records  Bureau  (NCRB)  does  not  maintain  data on the incidents of vandalism and demolition of statues.
- (c): The Government of India has sought reports from the concerned State  Governments/UTs  including  Government  of  Tripura,  Tamil  Nadu and  West  Bengal.    Government  of  Tripura  has  reported  four  cases  in which  FIRs  has  been  lodged  in  all  cases  and  one  person  has  been arrested.  Government of Tamil Nadu has reported three cases in which FIRs  has  been  lodged  in  all  cases  and  three  persons  have  been arrested.  Government of West Bengal has reported two cases in which FIRs  has  been  lodged  in  both  cases  and  seven  persons  have  been arrested.

(d) & (e): The Union Government  has  issued two advisories on 07.03.2018 to all the State Governments/Union Territory Administration regarding vandalism of statues and requested them to take preventive measures, wherever required. The State Governments/UT Administration  have  also  been  advised  to  investigate  the  incidents promptly,  arrest  and  prosecute  the  culprits;  to  monitor  the  situation closely  so  that  no  such  incident    is  allowed  to  reoccur;  to  intensify patrolling in all sensitive locations; to ensure that anti-social elements

## L.S.S.Q NO. *450 FOR 27.03.2018

are  not  allowed  to  take  advantage  of  the  situation;  to  activate  the community policing to ensure peace and harmony; and make DMs and SSsP personally responsible for ensuring that law and order situation remains firmly under control in their jurisdiction.

As per the VII Schedule of the Constitution of India, 'Public Order' and  'Police' are State subjects. The  responsibilities of maintaining law and order, including investigation, registration/prosecution of crimes, conviction of accused, protection of life and property etc. rest primarily with the respective State Government.  The Central Government keeps a constant watch on the internal security scenario of the country through its security agencies. Alerts  and  advisories  are  issued  to  the  law  enforcement  agencies whenever  any threat to internal security is perceived including providing Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to the State Governments.

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