LUCKNOW: Amid raging controversy over alleged dilution SC/ST Act-1989 which led to huge nationwide protests claiming a number of lives, a prominent Dalit organisation--Ambedkar Mahasabha—has announced to confer the title of 'Dalit Mitra' on UP CM Yogi Adityanath on the birth anniversary of Dalit icon Dr BR Ambedkar on April 14.
Moreover, when the political adversaries of the BJP were trashing the state government’s move of adding ‘Ramji’ to Dr Ambedakr’s name as vote bank politics, the Mahasabha has come out in support of the decision.
Even the immediate reason to felicitate the CM is attributed to his move of modifying Dr Ambedkar’s name as Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar as was claimed by Mahasabha president Lalji Prasad Nirmal.
He also hailed the state government’s decision of making it mandatory to put pictures of Dalit icon in government offices.
“Putting Ambedkar photographs in offices and other public places will lead to an increased awareness about the Dalit icon among people,” said Nirmal adding that renaming Babasaheb assumed importance in the wake of Yogi government’s decision to introduce chapters on the life and times of.
Ambedkar in school curriculum so as to make the future generations aware of his contribution to the country.
However, Mahasabha president was seen sharing the dais with BJP MP from Bahraich, Sadhvi Savitri Bai Phule at a rally she had organised against her own party on Monday.
Phule had also raised the issues of Dalits while launching an attack at the Centre and BJP-ruled state governments over the reservation and alleged "attacks on Dalits".
In an indirect reference to BSP chief Mayawati, Mahasabha president claimed that it was far better to correct Babasaheb’s name as per the tradition of his native place than constructing memorials in his name.
It may be recalled that during her previous stint as CM, Mayawati had got a number of memorials and parks worth crores constructed in the name of Dalit icons not only in Lucknow but Noida as well.
At a time when BJP is being labelled as anti-Dalit from different corners, such an announcement has brought a much-needed solace and reaffirmation to the saffron party as Nirmal appreciated CM Yogi for keeping his promise of taking strict action to curtail atrocities on Dalits. “And that he is doing," he said.
The Mahasabha, housing the urn of ash BR Ambedkar’s ashes, was constituted during the regime of Mulayam Singh Yadav in 1990. The basic idea to create Mahasabha was to counter the emergence of BSP founder Kanshiram as a tall Dalit leader.
The Mahasabha had earlier felicitated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and termed him as 'Daliton Ke Ram' during his visit to Lucknow in January 2016.