Thu Jan 30 19:34:10 UTC 2025: ## AIADMK Councillor Protests Ambedkar Statue Revamp in Chennai

**Chennai, January 31, 2025** – An AIADMK councillor, T. Sathyanathan, staged a walkout from a Greater Chennai Corporation meeting on Wednesday, protesting a resolution to renovate and reinstall a statue of B.R. Ambedkar in Nerkundram. The existing statue, erected by locals, is now at ground level following road elevation, making it vulnerable to damage.

The resolution, proposed by the Valasaravakkam Zone Standing Committee, calls for placing the statue on a higher pedestal. This follows an earlier request by Maduravoyal MLA K. Ganapathy for a full-sized bronze statue at a different location.

Councillor Sathyanathan argued that he and local residents were planning a larger bronze statue under the “Namakku Naame” scheme and claimed the resolution was passed without his consultation. He insisted that the community should be allowed to install the statue themselves.

His protest was met with opposition, including from Deputy Mayor M. Magesh Kumaar. Valasaravakkam Ward Committee Chairman V. Rajan pointed to the MLA’s elected representative status. Mayor R. Priya clarified that statues erected by the government belong to the public and cannot be claimed by individuals.

Despite the protest, the resolution passed.

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