LUCKNOW: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was felicitated with the title of ‘Dalit Mitra’ on the occasion of 127 birth anniversary of Dalit icon Dr BR Ambedkar here on Saturday.
The title was conferred on the CM in the presence of state governor Ram naik and two deputy CMs – Keshav Maurya and Dinesh Sharma -- at a function organised on the occasion by Ambedkar Mahasabha, an organisation constituted to promote ideals and principles of the Dalit icon.
Paying tributes to Dr Ambedkar, the CM announced the constitution of 25 special courts for speedy disposal of cases atrocities against dalits registered under SC/ST Act-1989.
He also declared that his government had increased the amount of scholarship awarded to Dalit students from Rs 2250 to Rs 3000 which would be credited in their bank accounts in two instalments in October and January without any lapses.
Counting the Central government schemes to benefit the dalits and downtrodden, the UP CM claimed that it was PM Modi who got five places associated with the life and times of Dr Ambedkar developed as ‘panch teerth’ (five places of pilgrimages).
He eulogised Dr Ambedkar for championing the cause of Dalits in the country and securing their rights in the Constitution of India. The CM said that Dr Ambedkar was a source of inspiration for all as he despite adverse conditions acquired higher education and brought freedom to the life of Dalits and other sections of society in true sense.
It may be recalled that a day after the Mahasabha announced to confer the title on the CM, there was a revolt in the organisation against Mahasabha president Lalji Prasad Nirmal ’s decision. Two senior founding members of the body -- Harish Chandra and SR Darapuri -- sought an Annual General Meeting (AGM) to initiate disciplinary action against Nirmal accusing him of going beyond his ambit of authority in the matter. They felt that in the present dispensation, the graph of atrocities against Dalits had soared.