http://rupeenews.com/2010/04/20/congress-slights-dr-ambedkar-again/
Congress slights Dr. Ambedkar again Posted on April 20, 2010 by The Editors Rupee News Rate This Dr. Ambedkar was the Dalit leader nurtured and brought into politics by Qauid e Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Dr. Ambedkar joined the Indian National Congress, but was unable to convince Mohandas Gandhi about abolishment of Unapproachability. He died a broken man saying that his biggest blunder was giving in to Gandhi’s fake fast–Ambedkar retreated from his demand for separate electorate for the Dalits, even after the British had approved the measure. As a result of his blunder the 450 million Dalits, Untouchables, Scheduled classes, and Tribals today remain enslaved. The BSP on Tuesday slammed the Congress for omitting Bhimrao Ambedkar’s contribution in a booklet issued to commemorate its 125 years, saying the party’s “anti-dalit mentality” and “fake love” for the community have been exposed. “There is no mention of the contributions made by Dr Ambedkar, dalit leader Babu Jagjeevan Ram and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad in the booklet released by Congress on completing 125 years of its foundation,” BSP state president Swami Prasad Maurya said in a statement issued here. “This booklet has exposed Congress’ fake love for dalits…. Surprisingly this book was released on the birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar,” he added. Maurya alleged that as a part of a conspiracy the party had showered praise on one family and there was no mention of any other leader belonging to dalit or minority communities. “If the party forgets to publish the name of Dr Ambedkar considered as a messiah by crores of people in the country, then it is proved that Congress love for dalits is nothing more than a farce,” he alleged. Terming Congress’ ‘chetna yatra’ launched by Rahul Gandhi on April 14 in BSP’s stronghold as a “drama”, the BSP state president said that the party was indulging in such activities only to mislead dalits. “Only handful people are participating in this yatra and in desperation party leaders are using all methods to attract crowd. This is evident from the fact that an indecent dance programme was organised in Bulandshahr yesterday,” Maurya alleged. He accused AICC general secretary Rahul of hurting the feelings of crores of followers of Ambedkar by not using the ‘parmapujya’ (most revered) to show respect to the leader during the Ambedkar Nagar visit. “Omission of contributions made by the dalit and minority leaders in the booklet is not a mistake, but a deliberate act as a part of the conspiracy,” he alleged. He alleged that the Congress always “used” Jagjeevan Ram and never gave him the respect he deserved. Indian Express. At a Depressed Classes Conference on August 8, 1930 Ambedkar outlined his political vision, insisting that the safety of the Depressed Classes hinged on their being independent of the Government and the Congress both: We must shape our course ourselves and by ourselves… Political power cannot be a panacea for the ills of the Depressed Classes. Their salvation lies in their social elevation. They must cleanse their evil habits. They must improve their bad ways of living…. They must be educated…. There is a great necessity to disturb their pathetic contentment and to instill into them that divine discontent which is the spring of all elevation. It is high time dalits come out of the clutches of the political bosses and organize themselves. Reservations certainly helped these communities and with the educational background they should be able to chart their own course for development as envisaged by the great Dr.Ambedkar. The reservations granted in the constitution to the SCs and STs at the behest of Dr.Ambedkar too was used by Congress to political advantage and building vote banks. Advent of parties like BSP, RJD, SP etc., with the same agenda put congress on the defensive. Hence the drama being played by Rahul and company unfolded. Parties like BSP too, instead of bothering about welfare of downtrodden fell victim to idolizing their leaders. The recent incidents of Mayawathi`s antics with idols and garlands proof. By simply mentioning the name of Dr.Ambedkar in a commemorative book is not going to help improve the lot of dalits. All the parties that are vying with each other to project themselves as Messiahs of the dalits will do well to understand the vision of Dr.Ambedkar for the erstwhile untouchables The omission might have been intentional. Congress never had a high opinion about Dr.Ambedkar. Gandhi and Dr.Ambedkar did not see eye to eye on many issues. Even on matters like untouchability the two had serious differences. Gandhiji calling Dalits as `Harijans` was severely criticized by Dr.Ambedkar. During the second round table conference in 1931 Dr.Ambedkar strongly advocated separate electorates to the Dalits. This was fiercely opposed by Gandhi. When finally this was granted by the British Gandhi went on fast unto death forcing Ambedkar to backtrack fearing attacks on the dalits by caste Hindus that are economically powerful.Ambedkar was a severe critic of the Salt Satyagraha undertaken by Gandhi. He was critical of the Congress and the upper caste leaders therein. If Congress had so much love for the downtrodden it would have given Ambedkar post of Prime Minister or Deputy instead of a constitutional post of the Chairman of the constitution committee was given.Chandramohanrao ------------------------------------ ---- INFORMATION OVERLOAD? Get all ZESTCaste mails sent out in a span of 24 hours in a single mail. Subscribe to the daily digest version by sending a blank mail to [email protected], OR, if you have a Yahoo! 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