Himachal Governor States No Formal Invitation Received for Ambedkar's Death Anniversary Tribute

The 68th death anniversary of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar was marked by tributes from Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu at Chaura Maidan. However, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla noted he received no formal invitation to the event. The Chief Minister led the public in honouring Dr. Ambedkar, with bhajans performed to commemorate the occasion, according to a statement.

Governor's Tribute and Remarks

Governor Shukla paid his respects to Dr. Ambedkar at a separate function held at Raj Bhawan. He expressed that, despite not receiving an official invitation, he felt it was appropriate to celebrate the day with his staff. "Being a citizen of the country and head of the state, I deemed it fit to celebrate the day with staff at the Raj Bhawan," he stated.

The Governor emphasised Dr. Ambedkar's pivotal role in drafting the Indian Constitution and his dedication to social justice. He highlighted Dr. Ambedkar's efforts to uplift underprivileged communities and stressed the importance of equality, brotherhood, and unity in combating social discrimination.

Political Reactions

Suresh Kashyap, former state BJP president and current MP from Shimla, criticised the lack of a formal invitation for the Governor. He described it as an unfortunate oversight and accused Congress leaders of politicising every issue. "Such incidents show the narrow mentality of the Congress," he remarked.

The event at Chaura Maidan was organised by Shimla Municipal Corporation. Governor Shukla mentioned receiving a card indicating the Chief Minister's invitation but noted no direct communication about his own attendance. Despite this, he chose to honour Dr. Ambedkar's legacy at Raj Bhawan.

Chief Minister Sukhu praised Dr. Ambedkar as a visionary who ensured equal rights for all while drafting the Constitution. He acknowledged Dr. Ambedkar's significant contributions to strengthening democratic values in India.

The nation remains indebted to Dr. Ambedkar for his relentless efforts towards social justice and equality. His ideals continue to inspire efforts against social discrimination and for unity among diverse communities across India.