Baruipur, 05 September (H.S.): While Teachers’ Day was being observed across the country to honour teachers and educationists, a statue of renowned Bengali educationist and social reformer Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was found lying amid bushes at a park in Baruipur, triggering anger among local residents and questions over the municipality’s maintenance and monitoring system.

The incident took place at Vidyasagar Shishu Udyan in Ward No. 11 of Baruipur Municipality. According to local residents, the park was developed for children’s recreation and sports, and a statue of Vidyasagar had been installed there. The residents alleged that the statue was removed from its designated location and left in the nearby bushes.

Locals said a large number of people pass through the area every day, yet the condition of the statue allegedly remained unnoticed for a considerable period, raising questions over the lack of supervision.

The location is also situated close to the Baruipur Sub-Divisional Officer’s office and the Baruipur Municipality office. Residents have questioned how a statue could remain in such a neglected condition in a park located so close to important administrative offices and why the matter was not noticed by the authorities.

According to local sources, the statue was inaugurated at Vidyasagar Shishu Udyan on September 26, 2020. The inauguration was reportedly carried out by then Ward No. 11 councillor Mozzafar Ahmed. The statue was installed as a tribute to Vidyasagar while also creating an environment for children in the park.

Residents pointed out that Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was not merely an educationist but one of Bengal’s prominent social reformers. His contributions to the spread of education, women’s education and the campaign in support of widow remarriage remain an important part of Bengal’s social history.

The incident has raised several questions: Who removed the statue from its original location? Why was it removed? Was permission obtained from the municipality? If it was removed for construction, renovation or maintenance work, why was it not kept at a safe and respectful location?

Residents have also raised concerns about the cleanliness and regular maintenance of the park. They said the accumulation of bushes and vegetation suggests that the park requires better upkeep, but finding a statue of such a revered historical figure lying among the overgrowth has caused particular concern.

The fact that the incident came to light on Teachers’ Day has further intensified public reaction. Residents said that on a day when teachers and great educationists are being honoured, the sight of Vidyasagar’s statue lying in an apparently neglected condition is deeply unfortunate.

Local residents have demanded that the statue be immediately removed from the bushes and respectfully restored to an appropriate location. They have also called for an inquiry into how the statue came to be there and whether anyone was responsible for its removal.

Attention is now focused on the Baruipur Municipality and the administration and their next course of action. The key questions remain: Will the Teachers’ Day incident prompt the authorities to act, and will Vidyasagar’s statue once again be restored to a place of honour?

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey