Prakash Ambedkar Appeals For Peace After 'Rajgruha' Vandalised, Maharashtra Home Minister Orders Probe

Maharashtra's home minister Anil Deshmukh also tweeted on the incident informing that the investigating is underway and strict action will be taken against the culprits.

Mumbai, Jul 8: In response to the act of vandalism in which two unidentified persons on Tuesday upturned and damaged flower pots at Rajgruha, the residence of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, his grandson Prakash Ambedkar, has appealed to the public to maintain peace.

'Rajgruha' is located in the Hindu Colony area of ​​Dadar. The two-storeyed heritage bungalow houses the Ambedkar Museum where Babasaheb’s books, portrait, ashes, and vessels are among the artefacts. Babasaheb's followers from all over the world come here to pay their respect. CCTV cameras were also damaged in the incident. After the complaints were made, Matunga police rushed to the spot and investigation has started. The police has registered an FIR in the incident. Ambedkar, president of the Bharip Bhaujan Mahasangh, took to the microblogging site to post a video in which he appeals, "I am appealing to everyone through the video that everyone should keep quiet. It is true that two people came to the palace, they tried to break the CCTV camera and other things. The police immediately took note of the matter. The police did their job. I urge you to keep quiet and do not gather around the palace. "

Meanwhile, Maharashtra's home minister Anil Deshmukh also tweeted on the incident informing that the investigating is underway and strict action will be taken against the culprits.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also said the state government has taken serious note of the incident and strict action will be followed. Pawar said it is an "act of anti-social elements with wicked mindset", as per the statement from Pawar's office. He urged people not to fall prey to the "ulterior motives" of such elements, and ensure peace and unity, as per the news agency PTI report. "The state government has taken serious note of the incident and police initiated probe into the matter immediately. The accused will be traced at the earliest and strict action will be taken against them," he said. The deputy chief minister further said Ambedkar's work and ideology are deep-rooted in the minds of people and none can remove the faith people have in him. CCTV footage from the erstwhile home of the Constitution architect shows a person smashing flower pots in the compound before fleeing, the official said. Other leaders including Supriya Sule, Dhananjay Munde Mama Patole and Sambhaji Chhatrapati also took to social media to express their anger over the incident.