Mild tension prevailed in Nagari town on Thursday, when Dalit leaders belonging to Telugu Desam Party (TDP) tried to obstruct local YSR Congress MLA and actor Roja from garlanding the statue of Ambedkar.

A large number of protesters led by local leader Ramesh reached Ambedkar statue junction in the morning, raising slogans against Roja and demanding her not to garland the statue and that she should have done it on Ambedkar Jayanthi.

They contended that Roja had no moral right to honour Ambedkar as she was facing charges under the SC/ST Atrocities Act.

Escort

A strong escort party led by Nagari Sub-Inspector guided Roja to garland the statue, while the Telugu Desam Party cadre kept raising slogans at a distance.

Milk bath performed

After Roja left for Vijayapuram mandal for a party meeting, the protesters performed milk bath to Ambedkar statue.

The local leaders said that they would continue to raise their voice against the MLA until she would tender an apology to Dalits.