Special Correspondent
Pune : In a shocking incident on Sunday night, a man attempted to vandalize the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Pune Railway Station by trying to decapitate it with a sickle. Fortunately, railway police intervened in time and arrested the accused before any damage was done.
According to eyewitnesses, the man identified as Suraj Shukla approached the statue holding a sharp-edged weapon and attempted to desecrate it. Alert onlookers immediately informed the Railway Protection Force (RPF), who acted swiftly to apprehend him.
Suraj Shukla hails from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and had recently arrived in Maharashtra after the conclusion of the Kumbh Mela. He was reportedly staying in Wai before coming to Pune. Preliminary police investigations reveal that Shukla is involved in selling religious books and Rudraksha beads at various locations.
Eyewitnesses stated that Shukla was creating a disturbance in the Pune railway station premises late at night. He then proceeded toward the statue of Mahatma Gandhi situated near the main concourse and began swinging the sickle in an aggressive manner. Fortunately, police personnel were able to overpower him before he could cause any damage to the statue.
Authorities have taken the weapon into custody and launched an investigation to determine Shukla’s motives, mental condition, and any possible affiliations with extremist ideologies. Senior officials have also ordered a review of security arrangements around significant public statues and installations in the area.
