Punjab Newsline | Hoshiarpur
Former Union minister and BJP leader Vijay Sampla was injured during a protest in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district after a clash broke out between BJP and BSP workers over the alleged vandalism of a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
The incident took place in Badian Kalan village, where members of both parties had gathered to protest the damage caused to the Ambedkar statue earlier in the day. During the demonstration, tensions escalated and Sampla was allegedly attacked with a microphone. He was also reportedly slapped from behind during the scuffle.
Sampla suffered an injury near his nose, resulting in bleeding, and sustained scratches on his neck. Police personnel present at the spot intervened and brought the situation under control before the confrontation could escalate further.
Following the incident, a heavy police presence was deployed in the village as authorities worked to maintain law and order. The area remained tense, with officials closely monitoring the situation.
The protest was triggered after unidentified persons allegedly damaged Dr. Ambedkar’s statue in the village during the early hours of Tuesday. According to police, the statue’s face and one of its fingers were damaged after stones were thrown at it.
Police have launched an investigation and are examining CCTV footage from the area to identify those responsible for the vandalism. Authorities said efforts are also underway to determine the identity of the person involved in the alleged attack on Sampla.
