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Days before its unveiling, statue of Chhattisgarh’s first CM removed from its spot; FIR registered

According to police, at around 2.30 am on Monday, a few unknown people used an earthmover to remove the statue that had been installed on the side of the road at Jyotipur Square in Gaurela town.

Days before its unveiling, statue of Chhattisgar’s first chief minister removed from its spot; FIR registered

Statue of Chhattisgarh’s first chief minister Ajit Jogi

A statue of Chhattisgarh’s first chief minister Ajit Jogi was removed from its spot days before it was set to be unveiled in Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi district on his death anniversary on May 29, police said. An FIR was registered on charges of theft on Monday.

According to police, at around 2.30 am on Monday, a few unknown people used an earthmover to remove the statue that had been installed on the side of the road at Jyotipur Square in Gaurela town. It was later left in the premises of the municipality office.

When the incident came to light on Monday morning, workers of the Janta Congress Chhattisgarh (Jogi) party reached the spot, along with Ajit Jogi’s son Amit Jogi, and held a protest.

Amit Jogi told The Indian Express, “Damaging the statue of late Ajit Jogi ji and throwing it in the garbage is a betrayal of the pride of Chhattisgarh and the people of Gaurela, his birthplace. It was a seven-tonne statue. We found it, but it has been damaged. We are getting it repaired and will reinstall it by Tuesday. It will be unveiled on my father’s death anniversary.”

“I have no idea who has done this, but there is CCTV footage which has captured the incident, and the culprits should be identified and punished for it,” he said.

On May 22, the local municipality issued a notice to a contractor for allegedly installing the statue illegally. Government officials on Monday refused to comment on the matter, saying it is under investigation.

Amit Jogi said he had no information on such a notice served by the municipality. “But… I am a lawyer and I can say without doubt that the land where the statue was being installed is owned by a private person who has no objection,” he said.

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In 2000, when Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh, Ajit Jogi, then a Congress leader, became the chief minister. In June 2016, Jogi parted ways with the Congress and formed his own party. He died in May 2020.

Jayprakash S Naidu

Jayprakash S Naidu is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently serving as the state correspondent for Chhattisgarh. With an extensive career in frontline journalism, he reports on the political, security, and humanitarian landscape of Central India. Expertise and Experience Specialized Conflict Reporting: Jayprakash is a leading voice on the Maoist/Naxalite conflict in the Bastar region. His reporting provides a critical, ground-level view of: Internal Security: Tracking high-stakes encounters, surrender programs for senior Maoist leaders, and the establishment of security camps in formerly inaccessible "heartland" villages. Tribal Rights & Displacement: Investigative reporting on the identity and land struggles of thousands of displaced tribals fleeing conflict zones for neighboring states. Governance & Bureaucratic Analysis: He consistently monitors the evolution of Chhattisgarh as it marks 25 years of statehood, covering: Electoral Politics: Analyzing the shift in power between the BJP and Congress and the impact of regional tribal movements. Public Policy: Reporting on landmark infrastructure projects (e.g., mobile connectivity in remote zones) and judicial interventions, such as High Court rulings on civil and family law. Diverse Investigative Background: Prior to his current focus on Chhattisgarh, Jayprakash held reported from Maharashtra, where he specialized in: Crisis & Disaster Management: Notable for his extensive coverage of the Cyclone Tauktae barge tragedy (P-305) and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on frontline personnel. Legal & Human Rights: Investigative pieces for platforms like Article-14, focusing on police accountability and custodial deaths across India. Environmental & Social Justice: Authoritative reporting on the Hasdeo Aranya forest protests and the approval of major tiger reserves, highlighting the tension between industrial mining and environmental preservation. ... Read More

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