Pune – Tensions have risen at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) after a six-foot statue of Gautam Buddha was taken down from the premises of the Department of Education, sparking widespread anger among student groups.
The statue, believed to have been donated by international students, was removed recently under ambiguous circumstances. The lack of transparency surrounding the act has led to unrest on campus, with various student organizations expressing their outrage and demanding answers.
In response, a protest rally has been scheduled for May 8 at 7 PM, organized under the campaign title “We Want Buddha”. The protesting students are calling for the immediate reinstatement of the statue to its original location.
Student leaders also intend to meet with the university’s Vice-Chancellor to seek a formal explanation and urge the administration to take swift corrective measures.
As of now, SPPU authorities have not released an official statement clarifying why the statue was removed, intensifying the frustration among students and faculty alike.
