A dispute over the installation of a Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar statue escalated into a major clash in Badaun district, Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday. The incident occurred in Raja Ki Sikri village, under Faizganj Behta police station, where villagers and the administration clashed over the statue's placement on government land. Villagers alleged that two police officers kicked and damaged the statue, leading to stone-pelting on police and administration teams in the evening.

Seven police personnel and one villager were injured in the stone-pelting, and several police and administrative vehicles were damaged. To control the situation, police detained seven individuals and are preparing action against unidentified persons. Villagers claim the Ambedkar statue had been in place for about six months. According to villager Vinod Kumar, on Tuesday morning, two police officers, Vijendra Kumar and Virendra Pal, allegedly kicked and toppled the statue. Villagers Mohar and Ashok Sagar corroborated this, demanding the statue be re-installed at the same spot and the accused police officers be brought to the village.

However, the administration presented a different account. District Magistrate Avnish Kumar Rai stated that the statue was being installed on restricted government land, identified as village common land (khalihan) in revenue records. The administration had objected to the unauthorized installation. The DM said both parties had been counselled, and an agreement was reached for the administration to form a committee to determine a suitable location for the statue. SSP Ankita Sharma added that a retired sub-inspector had offered his land for an Ambedkar Park, and an agreement was made to install the statue there with administrative approval.

According to the District Magistrate, as darkness fell, some individuals suddenly began pelting stones at the police and administration teams, using women and children as a shield. Over 10 vehicles, including police cars, an ambulance, and a PAC truck, were damaged. The DM stated that the statue has been safely moved to the tehsil premises. A large police force has been deployed, and the situation is under control. SSP Ankita Sharma confirmed that seven people have been detained for questioning, and efforts are underway to identify others involved in the stone-pelting.