The Congress has stirred massive protests across the country which seem orchestrated rather than sporadic. While the Congress hypocritically accuses the centre of being disrespectful to Dr BR Ambedkar, let us take a look at an instance from the recent past when the Telangana Congress in actuality disrespected Ambedkar and his values.
In a stark display of neglect, the Congress government in Telangana came under fire for disrespecting Dr. BR Ambedkar and undermining his legacy, particularly on his death anniversary on 6 December 2024. The government’s failure to honor Ambedkar’s contributions drew sharp criticism from various quarters, especially regarding the world’s tallest 125-foot statue of Ambedkar near Tank Bund, which was installed during the previous BRS government.
It is reported that the statue, a symbol of the recognition given to Ambedkar, had been abandoned, with public access to it restricted by the Congress administration. Despite being a prominent figure in Indian history, Ambedkar’s statue is said to have been left in neglect, with reports stating that the Congress government neither cleaned nor garlanded the statue on Ambedkar’s death anniversary.
This lack of respect for Ambedkar’s memory is not limited to the statue. The Congress government’s approach has been criticized for disregarding Dalit welfare, with actions such as canceling cheques issued under the Dalit Bandhu scheme, halting Ambedkar Overseas Scholarships, and neglecting tribal welfare programs. Additionally, promises made under the Ambedkar Abhayahastham initiative were alleged to have failed to materialize, leaving many Dalit Bandhu beneficiaries facing legal challenges for seeking the funds they were promised.
The Congress has also been accused of a historical pattern of disrespecting Ambedkar’s ideology, both during his lifetime and after his death. This lack of commitment to social justice has raised questions about the government’s priorities, particularly in relation to its treatment of marginalized communities.
The controversy has deepened with the upcoming inauguration of a redesigned Telangana Thalli statue, which critics argue is an attempt by the Congress to erase Telangana’s cultural identity. The statue, which was created after consultations with poets, artists, and intellectuals during the statehood movement, is now being redesigned in a manner that some see as an insult to the aspirations of the people who fought for Telangana’s statehood.
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