“Sensible Congressmen are questioning the DMK government’s decision”. These words echoed when the plans for the Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi Statue in Chennai were announced.
Welcome to the story of the Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi Statue, a project fraught with challenges and political undertones. This statue is not just a sculpture. It represents a complex history of Tamil Nadu politics.
The idea of honoring Indira Gandhi, India’s first woman Prime Minister, with a statue in Chennai was first proposed in 1986. Advocate A. Esaiah sought permission from the Corporation of Madras. He was directed to approach the Highways department.
But finalizing the location proved difficult. The government planned to install a statue of another leader at the same spot. This led to litigation in the Madras High Court. The case had many twists. One leader even claimed to be the president of the All India Amitabh Bachchan Fans Association.
After much legal wrangling, permission was finally granted. However, the advocate was not well then. The Congress party split in the State. A faction led by G.K. Moopanar became the Tamil Maanila Congress.
Moopanar insisted on perfection for the statue. The initial sculptor couldn’t meet his standards. A second sculptor was sought. In the late 90s, the TMC allied with the DMK. Moopanar worked hard to get the statue installed. The pedestal was installed in 1997.
Sadly, Moopanar died a few years later. Efforts to complete the statue stalled. The party divided again. Neither faction made progress on the project.
In 2024, State Minister MP Saminathan announced that the Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi Statue would be installed in Chennai. It would be part of a larger project. Statues of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Rani Velu Nachiyar, Marudhu Brothers, and GD Naidu would also be erected. Each statue would cost Rs 50 lakh.
BJP state secretary Karate R Thiagarajan claimed that previous attempts to erect a statue for Indira Gandhi had failed. He questioned the DMK government’s decision. He noted the DMK was badly affected during Indira’s Emergency period.
Thiagarajan requested Saminathan and TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai to visit the proposed location. It was the Spencer junction at Anna Salai. He asked them to publish a photo of the site.
The Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi Statue remains a symbol of political sentiment. Its journey reflects Tamil Nadu’s complex political landscape. The statue’s story is a reminder of the challenges and controversies. The challenges and controversies often surround the commemoration of historical figures.