The overnight enthusiasm of parties of every hue to lay claim to B.R. Ambedkar’s legacy reflects their quicksilver political strategy (“ >With eye on Dalit votes, parties line up to celebrate Ambedkar ,” April 15). Given that “Babasaheb” was a strong critic of the existing caste hierarchy in Hindu society and who even criticised elite Hindus for their discrimination against Dalits, one finds it hard to accept that even some in the right wing are trying to stake a claim. It is well known that the Congress supported a strong Dalit candidate from the Bombay constituency to ensure Ambedkar’s defeat. Dalit electorate is wise enough to know the distinction between appeasement politics and genuine politics.
Bhanu Shekhar,
New Delhi
Present day politics is opportunistic. Every party that has suddenly rediscovered Ambedkar has never found, nor will, find the courage to adopt his values. Ambedkar envisioned a society without caste but politics today does not allow caste to fade away; Ambedkar lay emphasis on social and economic equality but parties today are least concerned about this. He was also a man of ideals, while today’s generation of politicians forgets its words the next minute. Instead of trying to cash in on the values of Ambedkar, politicians must imbibe and adopt his values in deed.
Badal Jain,
Jalgaon, Maharashtra
While there are numerous reports on countrywide celebrations of Ambedkar’s 124th birth anniversary, there is no mention of how he suffered as a youth. He encountered prejudice after joining Elphinstone College, Bombay, in 1908, as the first “untouchable” student. Even 45 years later, Ambedkar felt deeply humiliated when he recounted, rather tearfully, to my father, N.L Ahmad, who was the Principal of Elphinstone College, that fellow students refused to mix with him or even talk to him. Ambedkar was invited in the early 1950s to be the chief guest at the annual day of the college when he recalled this and his early student days.
Jawid Laiq,
New Delhi
