Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy unveiled the “Statue of Social Justice” on January 19 in Vijayawada, standing at an impressive 206 feet tall. This colossal statue of Dr. BR Ambedkar, situated on an 81-foot pedestal in Swaraj Maidan’s Ambedkar Smriti Vanam, now holds the distinction of being the world’s tallest Ambedkar statue. The monument pays homage to Babasaheb’s tireless advocacy for marginalized communities and women, symbolizing inspiration for movements supporting human rights, women’s rights, and equality.
In his address during the unveiling ceremony, CM Jagan underscored the ongoing challenges of untouchability persisting in society, despite 75 years of independence. He identified modern forms of untouchability in education, healthcare disparities, and unequal access to government schemes. Jagan expressed concern about social injustices manifesting through privatization of buses and uneven distribution of benefits, calling for sustained efforts to eradicate such disparities.
Jagan also used the occasion to criticize the opposition’s proposal to make Amaravati the state capital, accusing the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) of practicing untouchability. According to Jagan, the TDP’s plan involved converting assigned Dalit lands into a real estate venture for the affluent, creating a fortress for their own benefit.