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Author: Saibal Dasgupta
Publication: The Times of India
Date: August 22, 2012
URL: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-22/china/33321382_1_statue-apsara-urumqi
An 18-feet statue of 'flying Apsara' has been demolished in the Muslim-dominated Urumqi city in western China 11 days after it was put up at a major intersection by the local municipal authorities. No reason for the demolition has been cited but it is possible that authorities faced resistance from local Muslims, sources said.
Local officials said they would henceforth be careful about choosing themes for future statues. Reports in the local media said the 40-tonne statue was demolished by 20 workers, who came with cranes and pickup vehicles to clear the debris.
"We were disappointed that this statue based on Hindu-Buddhist theme was put up in the month of Ramazan. People are still asking who took such an unwise decision," a Uighur Muslim businessman told TOI.
The Chinese media also published unhappy comments from local residents saying it was difficult for "some Muslim ethnic groups to accept a statue of a semi-clad woman'' on a major city intersection. There were thousands of postings on the Chinese internet and micro blogging sites complaining it was ungainly and affected the image of Urumqi city.
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