One wonders who the “we” and the “you” are in the lengthy narrative of Siddharthya Swapan Roy (“The Ambedkar party,” Open Page, April 24). Did the “we” refer to slum-dwellers, illiterates, working people or small-time politicians? And who are the “you” — big-time politicians, industrialists, the middle class …? At several places, he keeps saying what “we” do is indecent and ugly. Why?
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was a multi-faceted leader who contributed to the rights of the underprivileged, besides drafting the Constitution. He did not say how his birthday should be celebrated. People decided how to do it. Celebrating his birthday need not involve deriding “you” (whatever it means).
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Dr. Ambedkar created awareness among the marginalised sections. He rose to the level of Chairman of the Constitution committee. His determination and perseverance are missing in present day youngsters, who are eager to reap dividends without investing.
The mode of celebration the article refers to is not particularly praiseworthy. It is certainly not the way Dr. Ambedkar would have liked his birth anniversary to be celebrated.
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Abhishek Sharma,
Agra