ABVP Meghalaya condemns vandalism of Khasi freedom fighter U Tirot Sing Syiem’s Bust

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 7, 2024

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) Meghalaya vehemently condemns the reprehensible actions of the mob that damaged the bust of the revered Khasi freedom fighter U Tirot Sing Syiem on August 6.

The bust, installed and unveiled by the Meghalaya government on February 16, 2024, at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, was a significant symbol of our shared history and cultural heritage.

In a statement, ABVP said, “The vandalism occurred amidst the ongoing anti-India violence in Bangladesh, causing deep anguish and outrage among the people of Meghalaya and India as a whole. U Tirot Sing Syiem, a legendary figure in Khasi history, led the fight against British colonialism and is a source of inspiration for many. The attack on his bust is not just an act of vandalism but an affront to the values and sacrifices he stood for.”

ABVP Meghalaya urges the authorities in Bangladesh to take swift and decisive action to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure the protection of such important cultural symbols in the future. We also appeal to the Indian government to engage diplomatically with Bangladesh to prevent such incidents and to protect the interests and sentiments of Indians abroad.

“We stand in solidarity with the people of Meghalaya and all those who revere U Tirot Sing Syiem. His legacy of courage and resistance against oppression continues to inspire us, and we will not tolerate any disrespect towards it,” the statement said.