Mhow(MP): The legacy of Dalit icon BR Ambedkar is up for grabs once again ahead of Assembly polls in states such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. After the BJP announced its grand plan to observe the 125th birth anniversary of Ambedkar, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, too , kicked off Congress' nation-wide celebrations from the Dalit icon's birth place Mhow in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday.
Rahul Gandhi visited Mhow and paid rich floral tributes at the grand memorial of Ambedkar, the chief architect of Indian Constitution
June 2 marks the centenary of Ambedkar's graduation from Columbia University in the USA. Rahul's visit is seen as part of his extensive countrywide drive to reach out to different sections of society,especially the Dalit community.
Mhow, earlier known as Military Head Quarter of War (Mhow), was in 2003 rechristened as Dr Ambedkar Nagar.
Soon after landing in Indore, Rahul drove to this cantonment town where the memorial to Ambedkar is located. The Congress Vice-President was accompanied by party General Secretary Digvijay Singh and former Union minister Sushil Kumar Shinde among other leaders.
After paying tributes at the statue of Ambedkar memorial in Kali Paltan area, Rahul meditated for nearly five minutes. He also had a close look at the Dalit icon's photos displayed at the memorial.
Rahul's outreach campaign included addressing a public meeting and interaction with Dalit leaders and activists later in the day. He also used the visit as an opportunity to lash out at the Modi government over the ban of a students body at IIT Madras accusing them of taking away the rights of the people.
Congress has also drawn up plans to organise a series of functions to pay tribute to Ambedkar on his 125th anniversary. This is being seen as an an opportunity for the Congress to come closer to the Dalit community, which was once its vote bank.
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