National President of Dr Ambedkar Parinirvan Bhoomi Sanman Programme Committee Indresh Gajbhiye said, “The Prime Minister had assurrd fulfillment of the demands. We had demanded Rajghat status to Parinirvan Bhoomi of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, located on 26 Alipur Road in New Delhi, construction of a Stupa on the lines of Ranchi Stupa at that place and handing over of the land by the side of Pariniravan Bhoomi. However, the Prime Minister fulfilled only one demand thus betraying the Dalits.”
Nagpur News: The National President of Dr Ambedkar Parinirvan Bhoomi Sanman Programme Committee Indresh Gajbhiye has levelled serious charges against the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Addressing a press conference, Gajbhiye said, “The Prime Minister has betrayed the Dalits by turning back to their demands even after assuring fulfillment of the demands. We had demanded Rajghat status to Parinirvan Bhoomi of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, located on 26 Alipur Road in New Delhi, construction of a Stupa on the lines of Ranchi Stupa at that place and handing over of the land by the side of Pariniravan Bhoomi. However, the Prime Minister fulfilled only one demand thus betraying the Dalits,” Gajbhiye said.
“We will be organising a rally in Delhi on December 6 in Delhi to protest against UPA Government’s anti-Dalit policies and reiterating our demands pertaining to Rajghat status to Parinirvan Bhoomi of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, implementation of the law to Parinirvan Bhoomi on the lines of Rajghat, and others. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar died in Delhi and so the last rites should have been performed in Delhi itself. But the then Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru performed the last rites of Dr Ambedkar in Bombay. The motive behind the act was the fear of allotting a land for Dr Ambedkar’s memorial,” claimed Gajbhiye.
The National President of Dr Ambedkar Parinirvan Bhoomi Sanman Programme Committee Indresh Gajbhiye further elaborated, “The NDA Government, led by Atal Behari Vajpayee, purchased the Parinirvan Bhoomi land and subsequently declared it the National Memorial. The NDA Government prepared a blueprint and made the provision of Rs 100 crore for the proposed National Memorial of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. However, the UPA Government threw the proposal into dustbin. The Government doesn’t light a candle at the Parinirvan Bhoomi. On the other hand, a 24-hour “Jyoti” (Flame or torch) at Mahatma Gandhi’s “Samadhi” (Memorial) and not a single candle at is lighted at Parinirvan Bhoomi. Mahatma Gandhi was declared the Father of Nation. Similarly, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar should be declared Father of the Constitution,” Gajbhiye demanded.
“During discussions with the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he agreed to meet our three demands. But the Committee set up to look after the three demands, removed two demands and accepted only one demand of constructing a Stupa. The Chairman of this Committee is Narendra Jadhav and eight members are of Dalit community but still the three demands were not met. We condemn and protest this anti-Dalit attitude of the UPA Government,” Gajbhiye lamented. “Moreover, Mukul Wasnik, who was Social Justice Minister could have resolved the problem. On the contrary, the issue prolonged without any “fruits” and even he rejected the proposal,” charged Gajbhiye.
… Rajeev Kushwaha
