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The native council in Shropshire in western England on Monday mentioned it’s contemplating inserting a plaque subsequent to Robert Clive’s statue explaining the controversial legacy of the person, who ruthlessly laid the inspiration of British rule in India within the 18th century, as they “are finally facing up to painful and shameful periods” of their history. 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 in all 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.
“Today, as a society, we are finally facing up to painful and shameful periods in our history and having to address subjects that cause real distress to some members of our community, especially when they aren’t managed sensitively. The way we interpret the past is hugely important,” mentioned Steve Charmley, the council’s deputy chief.
The 28-member council on July 16 met and voted in favour of a advice 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 history. “We believe we should not erase controversial history but, rather than celebrate and glorify such people and events, find appropriate ways to mark and learn from them…(We) are currently exploring the possibility of placing a plaque next to the statue to factually bring more 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.
Thousands have signed a petition calling for the statue’s elimination. A counter-petition has insisted that “removing statues does not change history nor help us learn from it. Shropshire has been influenced by the actions of Robert Clive, whether we condone all of his actions or not”.
Protests below 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 May. 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.
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