Dr Ambedkar is as iconic as Martin Luther King, says Narendra Modi

New Delhi, March 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to BR Ambedkar on Monday, March 21 and said that 'Ambedkar is a source of inspiration for the nation, the voice of the marginalized.'

Modi, while speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of BR Ambedkar National Memorial in the capital, said: "Babasaheb was the voice of the marginalised. He is a Vishwa Manav. Only talking about him with respect to India is injustice to him."

Speaking at the event Modi said: "History is sometimes diluted or suppressed in our nation. Why was it that Dr Ambedkar had to resign from the ministry? This part of history is either forgotten or diluted."

"It was because the governement rejected Ambedkar's ideas for women empowerment that he left the government of that time. When issue of equal rights to women came up, Babasaheb was clear that if women don't get equal rights I can't be a part of the ministry," Modi added.

Babasaheb was the voice of the marginalised, says Narendra Modi

Praising Ambedkar at the event, Modi said: "Dr Ambedkar is as iconic as Martin Luther King who fought for the oppressed." 60 years after Ambedkar created a structure for power generation in India, we still have villages which have no electricity, Modi said.

The prime minister also praised Ambedkar's vision for the development of the poor and middle class.

"He had a vision to realise India's maritime resources, power sector and many things. He always wanted people to be educated," Modi said, adding: "Ambedkar gave inner power to people by compelling people to be knowledgeable."

Addressing the issue of reservation for reservations for Dalits, tribals and marginalised communities, Modi said that this is a right that nobody can snatch. "Nothing has ever happened to reservation for Dalits, tribals, where we are in power but still this lie is spread to mislead people," he said.

OneIndia News