Jai Ram accuses Congress of historic injustice to Ambedkar

Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur launched a scathing attack on the Congress. While addressing the Baba Saheb Samman Abhiyan today in Sirmaur, he accused the party of disrespecting Dr BR Ambedkar during his lifetime and even after. Thakur said after India’s Independence, the nation faced two major challenges — the integration of over 500 princely states and the drafting of a Constitution that would safeguard the dignity, rights and self-respect of every citizen while steering India towards democracy.

Thakur emphasised that while the responsibility of integrating princely states was entrusted to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the monumental task of drafting the Constitution was assigned to Dr Ambedkar — both against the wishes of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. “Nehru never liked Baba Saheb and consistently humiliated him, not just during his lifetime but even after his death,” Thakur alleged.

He added that true national recognition for Dr Ambedkar came only when the BJP came to power with its allies in 1990, posthumously awarding him the Bharat Ratna. Further, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, significant efforts were made to honour Ambedkar’s legacy through the establishment of the ‘Panch Teerth’ memorial sites.

Jai Ram Thakur said Ambedkar not only fought for Independence but also laid the foundations of a democratic, inclusive and just society through the drafting of the Constitution.

Himachal Tribune