Nehru Back On His Pedestal: Did Congress's 24-Hour Ultimatum Force Midnight Reinstallation In Bengal's Durgapur?

News india Nehru Back On His Pedestal: Did Congress's 24-Hour Ultimatum Force Midnight Reinstallation In Bengal's Durgapur?Last Updated:September 02, 2026, 05:29 ISTTensions escalated when Congress activists discovered that the 20-foot Nehru statue had been uprooted and abandoned in a nearby forested areaRapid ReadRapid ReadSummarized by AI.+Got Question about the News?Congress local leaders claimed the statue was deliberately uprooted using heavy machinery and demanded immediate arrests alongside the restoration, while BJP leaders denied any involvement. Image/XUnder the cover of darkness, local police in West Bengal’s Durgapur city reportedly reinstalled a massive 20-foot statue of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, successfully meeting a strict 24-hour ultimatum issued by Congress workers.The late-night operation was carried out discreetly to avoid media attention and prevent public gathering after the statue’s sudden removal sparked intense political friction in West Bengal’s Paschim Bardhaman district, say sources.Recommended StoriesUnited Against BJP, Divided Over Rahul: INDIA Bloc's 2029 Contradiction And Its Biggest Test YetUttarakhand Dalit Row: Congress Alleges BJP ‘Anti-Dalit’ Mindset Over Purification Ritual | News18Karnataka School Roof Collapse: 6 Students Injured, BJP Targets Congress | The 5 PM BriefWhy Is Telangana Tightening The Noose Around BRS MLC Thatha Madhu? Political Row ExplainedBackground of the RemovalThe iconic cement statue of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, originally installed in the early 1980s on land belonging to the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), stood near a school premises currently leased to a meditation centre.Tensions escalated dramatically when Congress activists discovered that the structure had been uprooted using a heavy-duty crane and abandoned in a nearby forested area.The party leadership immediately alleged that the historic monument was cleared to make space for a local event, leading to widespread outrage and a firm 24-hour deadline for its complete reinstatement to its original spot.Political Blame GameThe incident triggered a sharp war of words across political lines:Congress Accusation: Local leaders claimed the statue was deliberately uprooted using heavy machinery and demanded immediate arrests alongside the restoration.BJP Defence: Ruling party leaders strongly denied any involvement, asserting that internal rivalries and local political dynamics were responsible for the displacement.Purification and Homage Follow RestorationFollowing the overnight reinstallation by the authorities, Congress workers gathered at the site to perform a ritualistic cleansing, pouring milk over the statue to mark its return. Shortly after, political leaders across party lines visited the spot to offer floral tributes, effectively bringing the immediate confrontation to a close while local law enforcement continues to monitor the area.News18 NewsletterHandpicked stories, in your inboxA newsletter with the best of our journalismAbout the AuthorPathikrit Sen GuptaPathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He tra...Read MoreLocation :Durgapur, India, IndiaFirst Published:September 02, 2026, 05:29 ISTDisclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Loading comments...Read More