The native council in Shropshire in western England on Monday mentioned it’s contemplating putting a plaque subsequent to Robert Clive’s statue explaining the controversial legacy of the person, who ruthlessly laid the muse of British rule in India within the 18th century, as they “are lastly going through as much as painful and shameful durations” of their historical past. It had earlier on July 16 rejected the demand to take away the statue.
A ruthless navy commander, Clive, who was born in Shropshire in 1725, served as Bengal’s governor twice. The statue has stood in Shrewsbury’s sq. since 1860. Black Lives Matter campaigners have recognized the statue as one among many lately throughout the UK for elimination. Chapters of the Black Lives Matter marketing campaign towards racism have unfold internationally together with the UK because it started within the US in 2013.
“Immediately, as a society, we’re lastly going through as much as painful and shameful durations in our historical past and having to handle topics that trigger actual misery to some members of our neighborhood, particularly once they aren’t managed sensitively. The best way we interpret the previous is vastly essential,” mentioned Steve Charmley, the council’s deputy chief.
The 28-member council on July 16 met and voted in favour of a suggestion that no additional motion be taken on the demand to take away the statue. As many as 17 voted towards the proposal and one councillor abstained.
Charmley mentioned they don’t consider in erasing controversial historical past. “We consider we should always not erase controversial historical past however, quite than rejoice and glorify such individuals and occasions, discover applicable methods to mark and be taught from them…(We) are presently exploring the potential of putting a plaque subsequent to the statue to factually carry extra of his story and background to life.”
The existence of Clive’s statue in Kolkata (Calcutta) was cited as one of many causes for the advice towards the statue’s elimination on July 16. Calcutta was British India’s capital till it was shifted to New Delhi in 1912.
1000’s have signed a petition calling for the statue’s elimination. A counter-petition has insisted that “eradicating statues doesn’t change historical past nor assist us be taught from it. Shropshire has been influenced by the actions of Robert Clive, whether or not we condone all of his actions or not”.
Protests underneath the banner of Black Lives Matter marketing campaign had been held throughout the UK after George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, died when a white police officer knelt on his neck within the US in Could. It gathered momentum after the statue of slave dealer Edward Colston was pulled down in Bristol in early June. The marketing campaign has prompted a evaluate of public areas in London and elsewhere on symbols of racism, colonialism and slave commerce.