The Telangana government has announced plans to establish the world’s tallest Mahatma Gandhi statue at Bapu Ghat on Hyderabad’s Musi River bank. In line with the Musi River Rejuvenation Project, Chief Minister Revanth has directed officials to convert Bapu Ghat into a significant tourist and educational hub. Additionally, a bridge-cum-barrage construction near the site has been proposed to enhance the area’s appeal. As part of the project’s initial phase, CM Revanth stated that the government would develop a 21-kilometer stretch from Bapu Ghat to Himayat Sagar and Osman Sagar reservoirs.
Tushar Gandhi Criticizes ‘Statue Competition’
Responding to the Telangana government’s statue proposal, Tushar Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi’s great-grandson, expressed his opposition on social media, condemning what he termed as a “statue competition.” He urged the government to prioritize public funds for advancing education and healthcare in the state. Despite this, the Telangana government is moving forward with the statue project, consulting designers and considering inputs from political leaders on the statue’s design—whether Gandhi should be depicted in a seated posture, walking, or in a marching stance. Government representatives have confirmed that the final design will be influenced by suggestions from political and intellectual figures.
The largest existing Gandhi statue is a 72-foot monument in Patna’s Gandhi Maidan. In Telangana, the Assembly grounds currently house a 22-foot Gandhi statue, which was inaugurated by then-Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu in 1999.