BENGALURU: The Dr B R Ambedkar International Conference 2017 organised in the city from July 21 to 23 attracted some big names from across the world. During the three-day conference, several contemporary issues were discussed, which culminated with a ‘Bengaluru Declaration’. However, even before the event could kick off , there were some voices of discord on the way it was organised at tax payers’ expense.
Criticism continued even after the event ended on Sunday, with critics dubbing the expensive affair as being contrary to the ideals of Ambedkar. Opposition party leaders termed it as a forum for bashing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to play his ‘Ahinda’ card. In some sections of social media too, people complained about alleged discrimination, which went against the spirit of the event.
Speaking to Express, Praveen Kumar of Ambedkar Students Association, said that though the event was welcome, it was an expensive affair. He noted that the funds used for the programme - estimated to be around `25 crore - were used from Special Component Plan/ Tribal Sub Plan, which is used for the welfare of Dalit community.
However, Priyank Kharge, Minister for IT and BT, said it was not a question of `25 crore. “The objective of the conference was to have a conversation regarding the status and welfare of Dalits, other backward castes, minorities and economically deprived sections regardless of the community.”
Praveen pointed out there was discrimination in entry and provision of food to participants that were in contrast to the ideals of social justice and equality propagated by Ambedkar .
Modi-bashing event
BJP leader and former minister B Somashekar said the entire forum was used “only to criticise Modi.” The state government also used the SCP/TSP funds allotted by the Central leadership to speak ill of the Central government, he alleged.
Taking a dig at the Bengaluru Declaration, he noted that an equal opportunity commission has been proposed in the document. “The announcement for such a commission was done by Manmohan Singh government in 2004, which the Congress party couldn’t implement,” he said.
Kharge, however, said the recommendations of the declaration are being sent to all states to adopt in their existing policies.
Another Dalit activist, who did not wish to be named, said handing over event management to a private company resulted in negative reactions. “Rather than focusing on subjects and issues to be discussed, the company spent its energy in making the venue appear good. This affected the quality of talks at the event.”
Being an international conference, global standards had to be maintained, said Kharge. Moreover, compared to the `43,000 crore set aside by Centre, the state allotted `19,000 crore for the welfare of SC/STs , the minister added.
Social media ridicule
While some took to social media to complain about the extravagant spending, others dismissed it as a vain attempt to appease Dalits. Among the ones complaining about the expenditure was CPM leader Nagaraj GN, who participated in the conference. In a Facebook post, he said even delegates from the city, who did not require accommodation, were provided rooms in star hotels. In a series of posts, writer Dayanand T K questioned why people like Shashi Tharoor, Mani Shankar Aiyar, Rahul Gandhi who “have no relationship with the ideals of Ambedkar” were ‘exhibited’ at the conference. He wrote that he was hurt that D20-D30 crore was spent on the event that was used for the benefit of ‘comfort zone’ leaders, rather than for the welfare of Dalits itself.