Maintaining that BR Ambedkar was a victim of “political untouchability”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said he was the leader of humanity and not the Dalits alone. Narrating the humble background of the key architect of the Constitution, the Prime Minister said it would be a disrespect to Ambedkar if he is only viewed as a “messiah” of the oppressed and the downtrodden.
“Personally, I think, had Ambedkar not been there, where would have been Narendra ModiIJ” the Prime Minister said. Attacking successive opposition Governments at the Centre for not giving due respect to Ambedkar, he said the social reformer faced social untouchability in his life and was also facing “political untouchability after his death... Governments which were formed due to the Constitution framed by Ambedkar perhaps had problems in finalising plans for the Dr Ambedkar International Centre.”
He said when supporters of Ambedkar thought of establishing the Centre in 1992, the files kept moving back and forth for over 20 years. “When the responsibility came upon me, I was perturbed why this (delay) has happened. But I decided that while 20 years have been wasted, the project should be completed in 20 months,” Modi said at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Centre on Janpath.
Modi said “in a way” the memorial centre is also a “victim” of political untouchability. In an attack on rival political parties, Modi said people who have not read Ambedkar’s works are delivering discourse on his life. “How will those not willing to embrace him try to read his worksIJ” Modi asked.
Earlier, Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot said the Centre is taking steps for acquiring the house in london which was used by Ambedkar during his stay abroad for studies. He also said that the residence in Alipore Road in Delhi, where Ambedkar died, will be developed into a grand memorial.