Statue of Unity: We'll look into protesters' demands, but it's time to celebrate, says minister

The Statue of Unity, a tribute to India's first deputy prime minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, is open for tourists from Thursday. The Gujarat government is promoting it as a major tourism destination. But, over the past few days, ahead of the unveiling of the statue on October 31, close to 2,000 farmers from four districts of Gujarat—Vadodara, Narmada, Panchmahal and Chhota Udepur—threatened to disrupt the inauguration and commit suicide, citing “lack of compensation and destruction of natural resources” due to the memorial. Discord was mainly seen among the tribal residents settled nearby, who had to give away their land.

Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said every Gujarati and Indian is happy to see the world’s tallest statue in their soil, but some do not admit it. He said to THE WEEK, “I don’t deny there were protests. But those who protested also take pride in the fact that such a massive statue of their beloved leader is right next to them. Government will look into the demands of the people who have agitated. But, for now, it is time to celebrate and take pride on India having the world’s tallest statue.” 

The height of the Statue of Unity is 182 metres, of which the base is 25 metres. Built on an island—Sadhu Bet—close to Sardar Sarovar Dam in Narmada district at a cost of Rs 2,989 crore, it is twice the height of the famous Statue of Liberty in the US. In the second place is Spring Temple Buddha Statue in China, at 153 metres. 

Mandaviya said maintaining the statue in the days to come will not be an issue. “There is a strong workforce employed to take care of the statue. They will maintain it well. There is no question of it getting spoiled. Very soon, the Statue of Unity will become the most famous tourist destination in the country. People all over the world have already started talking about the world’s tallest statue. I am sure they will be keen to come to India and enjoy the experience. The statue is a source of unity. It is a slap on the face of people who question India’s existence. It reminds us, the Indians, of our courage,” he said. 

Entry gates to the Statue of Unity will be open from 9am to 6pm every day. A regular ticket will cost Rs 120 for adults and Rs 60 for children upto 15 years. The observation deck ticket—for Rs 350—will allow visitors to use the high-speed elevator that will take them to the chest of the statue, so as to get a scenic view of the surroundings. There is a 3-star hotel inside the complex that offers overnight stay and tourists can view a 30-minute laser show in the evenings. Boat rides will begin soon. 

The Congress party, however, accused the BJP of trying to use icons such as Patel to own a national narrative. “We appreciate the fact that a Congressman is being acknowledged as the man who united India. However, we doubt the intention of the actions of the BJP and the RSS. The statue is being used to divert attention from pressing issues,” Aishwarya Mahadev, Congress’s national spokesperson, said to THE WEEK. 

Mahadev’s colleague and the party’s social media cell chief Divya Spandana, meanwhile, courted controversy on Thursday after she took a dig at a photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi standing next to the Statue of Unity, asking “Is that bird dropping?” 

The BJP’s social media cell was quick to respond, “Ummm no, it is the values of the Congress that are dropping.” When contacted by THE WEEK, Spandana said she sticks to her tweet.