A signature campaign was organised by people's organisations at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, opposite the GVMC Office at Asilametta, on Friday to protest against the desecration of statues of Telugu leaders and poets on the Tank Bund in Hyderabad by Telangana protesters.
Former Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University K.V. Ramana was the first signatory followed by MLC M.V.S. Sarma, representatives of employees, teachers and people's organisations. Praja Spandana president C.S. Rao and Vizag Journalists' Forum secretary Gantla Srinu Babu were among the signatories.
‘Unpardonable'
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Sarma described the destruction of statues as an “insult to Telugu people.” The statues were of those leaders who had brought respect to the State at the national and international levels. He demanded that the political parties that were behind the incident be exposed. Contrary to their claims that the Million March would be peaceful, the organisers had indulged in attacks and destruction of statues. He described the violent attacks as “unpardonable.”
Prof. Ramana and United Teacher's Front leader Simhadrappadu sought that those who destroyed the statues shouldn't be spared. New statues should be installed at the same place.
Representatives of employees' unions of LIC, Naval Dockyard, Peerless, AP United Teachers' Federation and Bank Employees' Federation participated in the protest. They raised slogans denouncing the Telangana leaders for indulging in violence.
