For the third time since 2019, the statue Maharaja Ranjit Singh at high security Lahore fort complex of Pakistan was vandalized on Tuesday. The members of radical group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a far-right party in Pakistan which was outlawed by the present Imran Khan government this year. The video of the incident was shared on Twitter and the man vandalizing the statue has been identified as Rizwan, a member of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), who has been arrested by the police.
In the video Rizwan is seen striking the statue and damaging its arms and other parts, following which the visitors catch hold of him and prevented the further damage to the statue.
The nine feet tall statue of 19th century Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh was unveiled at the Lahore Fort on 27 June, 2019 on the account of his 180th death anniversary. The statue of first Maharaja of Sikh Empire, ruled over Punjab for close to 40 years is made up of cold bronze. In August 2019, the statue was vandalised by two members of Tehreek-e-Labbaik and both were arrested by the police. The statue was vandalised for the second time in December 2020.
