Decade-long conflict leaves Bhanu Chowk without a monument in Janakpurdham
Summary
Bhanu Chowk in Janakpurdham still bears the name of Adikabhi Bhanubhakta Acharya, but the statue and monument once standing there were removed after vandalism and road expansion. A dispute over whether to restore Bhanubhakta’s monument or honor Ramesh Mahato has frozen the allocated budget and stalled construction.
Key Points
- Bhanu Chowk in Janakpurdham was originally named and marked with a statue of Adikabhi Bhanubhakta Acharya, but no monument now remains at the site.
- The statue was vandalized during the first Madhesh movement and later removed during road expansion under the Integrated Urban Development Project.
- Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City allocated Rs 2 million to rebuild the monument, but the work stalled after protests by Madhesh-centric party cadres.
- Mayor Manoj Kumar Sah says the city is ready to build a Bhanu monument if disputes are resolved, while Janata Samajbadi Party leader Sanjay Kumar Chaudhary argues a Ramesh Mahato monument would be more appropriate.
