BJP not serious about Ambedkar's birth anniversary: Solanki

Ahmedabad, Jun 14: The BJP-led central government as well as Gujarat government are not serious about celebrating Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar's 125th birth anniversary, Gujarat Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki said here today.

Addressing a large gathering of Congress workers and leaders here, Solanki said that atrocities against Dalits have significantly increased under BJP rule.

"BJP remembers Dalits only at the time of elections and sheds crocodile tears. However, atrocities against Dalits have actually increased under BJP rule. After taking votes of Dalits, it seems that BJP rulers are not serious about celebrating Dr Ambedkar's 125th birth anniversary," Solanki said.

Gujarat Congress celebrated Dr Ambedkar's birth anniversary by organising a march called 'Bhim Jyot Yatra', which culminated in a large gathering at Memco area of the city today after covering almost 4,000 km across Gujarat. According to Solanki, both the BJP-led Gujarat government as well as the central government do not have a concrete plan to celebrate Dr Ambedkar's 125th birth anniversary.

"Gujarat government spent crores of rupees celebrating various festivals, but, both state as well as central governments have not announced any concrete programme for Dr Ambedkar's birth anniversary. This shows the BJP's real affection for the Dalits," Solanki said.

He was accompanied by many other Congress leaders, including Leader of Opposition in Gujarat Assembly Shankersinh Vaghela and chairman of All India Congress Committee (AICC)'s Scheduled Caste (SC) Cell K Raju. They urged Congress workers to walk on the path shown by Dr Ambedkar and build a nation of his dreams.

PTI