Silchar, Feb 26: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday strongly condemned the vandalism of the Jawaharlal Nehru bust at Poilapool in Lakhipur constituency, Cachar district. The statue was allegedly destroyed by miscreants using a JCB excavator late on February 23.

In a statement, Gogoi called the act an insult to the legacy of India’s first Prime Minister and freedom fighter, who “laid the foundation of modern India.” He emphasized that political differences should not lead to the erasure of democratic history through such unethical means.

Gogoi also criticized the BJP-led government for its “disturbing silence” on the incident and urged authorities to swiftly identify and punish those responsible. He added, “The strength of India and Assam lies in upholding pluralism and democratic values at all costs,” and asserted that the people of Assam would not tolerate such vandalism.

The Assam Congress described the act as “cowardly and outrageous,” questioning the ownership of the excavator and seeking clarity on under whose direction the vandalism took place. The party also noted that Lakhipur MLA Kaushik Rai is a close aide of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The bust, which had stood at the site for several years, was brought down by unidentified individuals, sparking widespread condemnation among Congress leaders.