PM Modi expresses strong disapproval over vandalism of statues, HM Rajnath Singh orders state to act sternly

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his strong disapproval over political party workers resorting to vandalizing statues of eminent political ideologues in different parts of the country.

According to a government statement, PM Modi spoke to Home Minister Rajnath Singh who has ordered states to act sternly to check such incidents.

The ministry said the state governments were told that persons indulging in such acts must be sternly dealt with and booked under relevant provisions of law. "Honorable prime minister has also spoken to the Home Minister in this regard," the advisory said.

A statue of Tamil icon EVR Ramasamy or Periyar was vandalized in Tamil Nadu's Vellore last night, hours after a BJP leader suggested it in his Facebook post responding to anger over a statue of Russian communist leader Vladimir Lenin being pulled down in Tripura.

In retaliation to BJP vandalizing statues, CPM workers in Kolkata stoned the bust of BJP icon Syama Prasad Mookerjee and blackened its features. Syama Prasad Mookerjee was the founder of the BJP's predecessor Jana Sangh.