Missing ‘Gyarah Murti’ figure: Godhra Municipality begins work to modify Dandi march sculpture

An artist works on the relief sculpture in Godhra. Express

After protests by social activists and BJP members, Godhra municipality has begun demolishing the replica of the iconic “Gyarah Murti”, installed as a relief sculpture near Church circle in Godhra town. It shows Mahatma Gandhi leading the Dandi march — with nine followers, instead of 10, as is the sequence in the original sculpture on Sardar Patel Marg in New Delhi. In Gyarah Murti, the characters, except Gandhi, depict common Indians belonging to different religions, castes and economic background.

The sculpture was made by Kolkata-based artists. On Thursday, artists started removing the last four figures to modify the sculpture. After removing the last four figures, five figures will be installed to complete the sculpture.

Digesh Parikh, member of the BJP who wrote a letter to the Panchmahals collector, said “This is welcome step by the authority.” “As per the order from the collector office, we’ve started the modification work of the sculpture. It will be completed in a week,” said A R Pathak, chief officer, Godhra Nagarpalika.