The Sambhal Municipality in Uttar Pradesh has passed a proposal to enhance city aesthetics by installing statues of notable figures at major intersections. BJP councilor Chanchal Sunny Gupta informed a news agency that in a recent municipal meeting, it was proposed to install statues of Prithviraj Chauhan at Chandosi Square, Lord Parshuram at Shankar Square, Ahilyabai Holkar near Sadbhavana Park, Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Mohalla Dher Park, and APJ Abdul Kalam near Nakhasa Square.
Chanchal Sunny Gupta stated that the municipality unanimously approved the proposal, and work has commenced on the statues of Prithviraj Chauhan, Lord Parshuram, and Ahilyabai Holkar, which are anticipated to be installed first. However, local Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Iqbal Mahmood has criticized the decision.
Speaking to the media, Iqbal Mahmood said, "While I am not against the proposal, there is a Supreme Court order that prohibits installing statues at intersections, and the proposed action would defy that order." He added, "I have forwarded a copy of the Supreme Court order to the district magistrate's office. I am not opposed to the installation of statues. I am opposed to the potential violation of the apex court's order."
Countering the opposition from the SP MLA, BJP councilor Chanchal Sunny Gupta asserted, "Once the municipal board has passed the proposal, the MLA has no grounds to interfere in the matter."
A municipal executive officer from Sambhal, Mani Bhushan Tiwari confirmed to a news agency that the statue installation proposal was sanctioned by the municipal board. Regarding Mahmood's concerns about the Supreme Court order, Tiwari commented that the installation work will proceed in accordance with the regulations.
