Birth anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar celebrated in Puducherry

Leaders, including the Lt. Governor and Chief Minister, paid their tributes at the memorial on Beach Road

Lt. Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan paying respects to the statue of Ambedkar on Thursday. | Photo Credit: S.S. Kumar

Led by Lt. Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, the Union Territory on Thursday celebrated the birth anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution.

Ms. Soundararajan along with Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, Speaker R. Selvam, Minister for Public Works K. Lakshminarayanan, Minister for Agriculture C. Djeacoumar and Minister for Transport Chandirapriyanga garlanded the statue of Ambedkar inside Bharathi Park. They also visited the Ambedkar Memorial on Beach Road and offered floral tributes.

Home Minister A. Namassivayam garlanded the statue along with Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) S. Selvaganabathy, BJP president V. Saminathan and legislators of the party.

Leaders of various political parties including the Congress, the DMK, the AIADMK and the VCK garlanded the leader’s statue. Those who garlanded the statue included Member of Parliament V. Vaithilingam, former Minister Kandasamy and Opposition leader R. Siva.

Representatives of various Dalit outfits took out rallies and garlanded the statue and visited the memorial.

Protest and arrests

Around 17 activists were arrested for staging a protest on J.N. Street, demanding the construction of a statue for former legislator and trade union leader R. Uthiravelu.