Ambedkar expressed concern over the delays in seat sharing in the Mahav Vikas Aghadi due to differences between the parties…reports Asian Lite News
In yet another letter to the MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) leaders, former Bahujan Vikas Aghadi Chief Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of Dr BR Ambedkar, urged the INDIA alliance parties in Maharashtra to conclude seat sharing ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Ambedkar expressed concern over the delays in seat sharing in the Mahav Vikas Aghadi due to differences between the parties.
“I understand there is a lack of concurrence between the Congress and SS (UBT) on at least 10 seats, and between INC, SS (UBT) and NCP (SP) on at least 5 seats, which are the prime reasons why the MVA is taking time to finalise the seat-sharing formula,” Ambedkar stated in the letter.
Ambedkar in the letter claimed that he spoke to AICC Maharashtra incharge Ramesh Chennithala but could not reach any conclusion as the Congress was yet to complete negotiations with the Uddhav Thackeray led Shiv Sena which was adamant on contesting at least 18 seats, which the undivided Shiv Sena had won with the BJP.
“Understanding the concern raised by Chennithala ji, I proposed that Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi and Congress should sit together and have a discussion on all those seats which the Congress has in mind and demanded in the MVA,” he stated.
The VBA leader further appealed to the Congress to reach out to him as soon as possible to decide on seat sharing in Maharashtra to ‘topple the BJP-RSS’.
Meanwhile, Congress leader and Maharashtra LoP Vijay Wadettiwar claimed that talks are underway with Prakash Ambedkar and he is soon going to join the INDIA alliance.
“Prakash Ambedkar is with us. On behalf of India Alliance, Prakash will invite Ambedkar to join Rahul Gandhi’s visit. Talks are going on with Prakash Ambedkar. Our senior leaders will take a decision on this, if there is no discord between us,” Wadettiwar said while speaking to media on Tuesday.
Significantly, in the 2019 General Assembly elections in Maharashtra, the United Shiv Sena secured victory in 18 out of the 48 seats, while the Indian National Congress managed to win only one seat. The AIMIM and VBA, in a collaborative effort, contested 49 seats but were successful in winning just one seat. (ANI)
“Dr. Ambedkar has made indelible contributions to India’s progress. This is a day to reiterate our commitment to fulfil his dreams for our nation.”said Modi…reports Asian Lite News
President, Vice-President and Prime Minister on Thursday paid homage to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on his Jayanti.
Remembering Dr Ambedkar, President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted: “A strong advocate of social justice, as architect of the Indian Constitution Babasaheb laid the foundation of modern India. Let us do our part in building an inclusive society following his ideal of ‘Indian first, Indian later and Indian last’.”
In a tweet, Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu said: “My humble tributes to the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr B.R. Ambedkar on his birth anniversary today. Babasaheb was a multi-faceted genius- a legal luminary, visionary statesman, outstanding constitutional expert, brilliant parliamentarian & social reformer.”
“He was the voice of the socially oppressed and dedicated his life to the upliftment of the marginalized sections of society. His iconic life and noble thoughts continue to guide the nation,” Naidu added.
In his tribute to Dr Ambedkar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “Tributes to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on his Jayanti. He has made indelible contributions to India’s progress. This is a day to reiterate our commitment to fulfil his dreams for our nation.”
‘Great son of India’
President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday greeted the fellow-citizens a day ahead of the birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar, architect of the Indian Constitution.
Extending his greetings and best wishes on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the President said: “An economist and advocate of human rights and women empowerment, Dr Ambedkar is considered as a leading nation builder of our country. He contributed in promoting harmony and tried to eradicate the evils of the caste system. A true believer in the rule of law, Dr Ambedkar constantly worked for the rights of poor and backward classes.”
“We should take inspiration from the life of this great son of India. A true homage to Dr Ambedkar would be to develop our country on the principles of ‘Social and Economic Justice’ and ‘Equality of Status and Opportunity’,” a communique from the Rashtrapati Bhavan said quoting the President.
Congress pays tributes
The Congress on Thursday paid tributes to Dr B.R Ambedkar on his birth anniversary saying he gave the country its strongest pillar of strength – the Constitution.
Taking to Twitter, Rahul Gandhi said: “On the occasion of his 131st birth anniversary, my tributes to Babasaheb Dr BR Ambedkar, who gave India its strongest pillar of strength – our sacred Constitution”
The Congress said: “Babasaheb Ambedkar remains a champion of equality, human rights & social justice. His life & actions have been a source of inspiration for crores all over the world. On his birth anniversary, we celebrate the legacy of the man who gave India her Constitution. “
Congress General Secretary Avinash Pande said: “Ambedkar was architect of the Constitution, great economist and saviour of poor.”
‘Equality Day’
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday declared April 14, the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, would be celebrated as “Equality Day” from this year onwards.
The Tamil Nadu government has already declared September 17, the birth anniversary of social reformer E.V.S. Periyar, as “Social Justice Day”.
Making the announcement in the Assembly, Stalin said that a pledge would be taken across the state on this day for upholding and following equality, and eschewingcaste discrimination.
The Chief Minister said that a live bronze statue of Dr Ambedkar would be installed at the Ambekar Manimandapam in Chennai following the request by VCK leader and MP, Thol Thirumavalavan.
He also said that selected works of Dr. Ambedkar would be published in Tamil, adding that the opinions of the great social reformer have relevance and substance and that it was a beacon for the future. He said that the decision came on a representation he received from the DMK MP, A. Raja.
The Chief Minister also said that the goal of social justice is achieving equality and added that the government would intervene in any issue which concern the Tamils. He also warned that any discrimination based on caste would not be tolerated and would be dealt with an iron hand.
HE Gaitri Issar Kumar, High Commissioner of India, paying respect to Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar on his 130th birth anniversary at India House in London
Dr. Ambedkar’s vision was of an India where the social system and economy would promote the full development of human potential and ensure a dignified existence for all citizens … reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
High Commission of India in London paid tribute to Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar on his 130th birth anniversary at India House. Babasaheb, as he was popularly known, was born on 14th April 1891, He was an academician, a leading figure in the national movement for a free India and a strong voice against untouchability.
HE Gaitri Issar Kumar, High Commissioner of India, paying respect to Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar on his 130th birth anniversary at India House in London
Bhimrao was born in the town and military cantonment of Mhow, which is now known as Dr. Ambedkar Nagar. He was the 14th and last child in a family that was considered untouchable at that time.
Growing up with few resources amidst adversity, Bhimrao was an excellent scholar who passed his matriculation exams and proceeded, as the first member of his caste, to attend college at the University of Bombay.
After obtaining a degree in Economics and Political Science, he took up employment in the State of Baroda. Soon the State of Baroda awarded him a three year scholarship for study in the USA, where he passed his MA in June 1915 in Economics, Sociology, History, Philosophy and Anthropology. Ambedkar then presented a thesis on Ancient Indian Commerce. His relentless thirst for knowledge led him to pursue two doctorates in Economics – both from the Columbia University and London School of Economics.
He was the first Indian to pursue a doctorate in economics abroad. Dr. Ambedkar made his early career as an economist, professor and lawyer and was also appointed Principal, Government Law College, Bombay.
Dr. Ambedkar became active in Indian politics and social reform, soon after his return to India. He called upon the socially and economically disadvantaged to educate, agitate and organise. He also led Satyagraha and published periodicals like Mook Nayak, Bahishkrit Bharat and Equality Janta. His book Annihilation of Caste has strongly criticised the caste system then prevalent in India. He has also written scholarly books on economics, society and politics.
In 1936, Dr. Ambedkar founded the Independent Labour Party and contested elections in Bombay in 1937 for the Central Legislative Assembly. After independence, he was invited to serve as the first Law Minister of India. He was also appointed as the Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, which was constituted to write India’s new constitution. In the drafting of the Constitution, Dr. Ambedkar was responsible for the inclusion of constitutional guarantees and protection of individual liberty, freedom of religion, civil liberties including universal franchise which were ahead of the times; and Dr. Ambedkar argued stridently for the rights of women. The Constitution, when finalised, was adopted on November 26, 1949 by the Constituent Assembly.
Dr. Ambedkar’s vision was of an India where the social system and economy would promote the full development of human potential and ensure a dignified existence for all citizens. For realisation of that, Dr. Ambedkar had played a crucial role in laying down the Directive Principles of State Policy, a unique feature of the Indian Constitution. The Principles mandate that the State shall strive to promote the welfare of the people by securing and protecting a just social order. These principles lay the foundation for social democracy envisaged by Dr. Ambedkar as a way of life that recognises the union or trinity of literacy, equality and fraternity.
Dr. Ambedkar established the Finance Commission of India in 1951 and contributed to the forming of important policies in Revenue, Finance and Land Reforms. He considered Article 32 of the Indian Constitution, the Right to Constitutional Remedies, to be the very soul of the Constitution and the heart of it. He believed that the greatest safeguard for purity and fairness in elections was to establish an independent Election Commission.
HE Gaitri Issar Kumar, High Commissioner of India, paying respect to Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar on his 130th birth anniversary at India House in London
Similarly, he considered the Auditor General to be a key functionary who should have greater independence than even the judiciary. The Right to Information Act is, in fact, a modern day manifestation of Dr. Ambedkar’s commitment to building open, vibrant democratic institutions and strong constitutional methods.
Dr. Ambedkar was posthumously awarded India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna in 1990. Every year, his birth anniversary is celebrated as a public holiday in India. People celebrate his birthday as Ambedkar Jayanti or Bhim Jayanti. The Maharashtra Government has acquired the modest building in London at 10 King Henry Road, where Dr. Ambedkar lived during his days as a student. It was inaugurated as a museum by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in November 2015.
Dr. Ambedkar’s message from his address to the Constituent Assembly on November 25, 1949 is worth remembering:
“In addition to our old enemies in the form of castes and creeds, we are going to have many political parties with diverse and opposing political creeds. Will Indians place the country above their creed or will they place creed above country? I do not know. But this much is certain that if the parties place creed above country, our independence will be put in jeopardy a second time and probably be lost forever. This eventuality we must all resolutely guard against. We must be determined to defend our independence with the last drop of our blood.”
President, PM Join
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed on the need to imbibe his ideals in the conduct of each Indian.
“Tribute to Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, on his birth anniversary. He waged a lifelong struggle to create an equitable society. Today, by taking a lesson from his life and thoughts, we take a resolution to adopt his principles in our conduct,” President tweeted in Hindi.
The Prime Minister said that Babasaheb’s struggle to bring the deprived section into the mainstream will remain an example for generations to come.
Bowing to the great Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on Ambedkar Jayanti, the Prime Minister tweeted, “His struggle to bring the deprived section into the mainstream will remain an example for generations to come”.
HE Gaitri Issar Kumar, High Commissioner of India, paying respect to Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar on his 130th birth anniversary at India House in LondonHE Gaitri Issar Kumar, High Commissioner of India, paying respect to Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar on his 130th birth anniversary at India House in London
