Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has voiced strong opposition against the relocation of statues of Mahatma Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, and other leaders in the Parliament complex. In letters addressed to the Lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha Chairman, Kharge criticized the arbitrary shifting of these statues without consultation, arguing it undermines democratic principles.
Highlighting the symbolic importance of each statue’s original placement, Kharge emphasized the need for proper deliberation and respect for parliamentary traditions. He pointed out the absence of reconstituting the committee responsible for such decisions since 2019, further asserting that decisions affecting national symbols should adhere to established protocols. The Congress has demanded the statues’ restoration to their original prominent locations, underscoring their significant historical and national value.