Uttar Pradesh: BJP, VHP Seek Removal of Padma Bhushan Awardee Ustad Ahmed Jan Khan Thirakwa Statue in Moradabad

Members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and workers of BJP protested and also blocked the Moradabad-Haridwar highway in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, December 18, to demand the removal of Padma Bhushan awardee and well-known table player Ustad Ahmed Jan Khan Thirakwa statue installed at a main crossing road of Moradabad. The road leading to the statue was also named after him. 

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A large number of local residents also joined the agitators, who raised slogans against the Moradabad Municipal Corporation and warned of launching a sustained agitation if the statue was not removed soon and replaced with that of Subhash Chandra Bose. The statue was covered by black polythene.

Moradabad Protest

मुरादाबाद, यूपी में नगर निगम ने एक चौराहे पर तबला वादक अहमद जान थिरकवा की प्रतिमा लगवा दी। इससे हिंदू संगठनों की भावनाएं आहत हो गईं।BJP और VHP ने आज प्रदर्शन किया। प्रतिमा को काली पॉलीथिन से ढक दिया। मांग है कि इसे हटाकर सुभाष चंद्र बोस की प्रतिमा लगाई जाए। pic.twitter.com/ycpzu7nhm2

— Sachin Gupta (@SachinGuptaUP) December 17, 2024

Ustad Ahmed Khan died in 1976 at the age of 84 years. He was a skilled percussionist who could play several instruments. He had enthralled the audience for many decades. The statue of him was placed at the crossing last week.