Munsif News 24×7: A long-awaited moment in Hyderabad’s civic history is arriving as the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) ends the 15-year statue controversy by unveiling the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi statues on December 4, 2025. The statues, positioned near the Commissioner entrance and Mayor entrance respectively, will finally be revealed in the presence of the GHMC Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Commissioner.
The unveiling officially closes a dispute that began in 2010 and kept the statues covered for more than a decade, marking a major milestone in the corporation’s administrative cleanup and beautification drive.
How the GHMC Statue Controversy Began in 2010
The roots of the GHMC 15-year statue controversy lie in a politically charged moment soon after the death of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR).
Key Events From 2010
- Congress leaders pushed for installing a YSR statue at the GHMC head office.
- Facing opposition from TDP and BJP, then-Mayor Banda Karthika Reddy approved its installation.
- In a counter move, TDP erected Gandhi and Ambedkar statues beside the taller YSR statue in November 2010.
- This sparked a symbolic dispute over placement and statue height, drawing objections from SC/ST unions.
- To avoid public backlash, GHMC covered all three statues with white sheets, beginning a 15-year freeze.
- The YSR statue was later removed quietly, while the Gandhi and Ambedkar statues remained hidden and legally contested.
GHMC’s 2025 Resolution: Relocation, Redesign, and a New Beginning
By 2025, GHMC decided to close the chapter once and for all.
Major Developments in 2025
- May 22, 2025: GHMC Standing Committee resolved to relocate the statues and redesign the entrance space.
- June 2025: Statues were physically moved to new designated spots; construction of a new water fountain began at the eastern entrance.
- Nov–Dec 2025: Painting, landscaping, and beautification completed ahead of the December 4 event.
The redesigned frontage now features a cleaner layout, with the fountain serving as a neutral replacement for the earlier politically sensitive statue site.
December 4 Event: A Historic Closure for GHMC
The GHMC Ends 15-Year Statue Controversy officially on December 4, 2025, when the Ambedkar and Gandhi statues will be unveiled with a modest civic ceremony.
Event Highlights
- Chief Guests: GHMC Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Commissioner
- Program: Unveiling of Ambedkar & Gandhi statues, inauguration of the new fountain
- Significance: Marks closure of political disputes, symbol of civic unity, major step in GHMC beautification
Officials describe this as a key moment in restoring dignity to national icons and turning a politically sensitive story into a civic achievement.
Local Reactions and Social Buzz
Social media platforms across Hyderabad are buzzing with videos of the final preparations, making #GHMCStatues trend locally.
Trending points include:
- Praise for giving Ambedkar a prominent position near the Commissioner entrance
- Netizens joking that the “15-year white sheet era ends today”
- Curiosity about the YSR statue’s undisclosed relocation
- Recognition that the fountain avoids future political disputes
A New Chapter for GHMC After Ending a 15-Year Statue Dispute
As the GHMC prepares to unveil the restored statues of Ambedkar and Gandhi, the city finally witnesses the end of a civic chapter that began in 2010. By resolving placement concerns, relocating disputed structures, and completing beautification works, GHMC ends a 15-year statue controversy with a renewed focus on unity, heritage, and civic pride.
Munsif News 24×7 will continue covering developments from the December 4 event and the new GHMC beautification initiatives now taking shape.