Delhi Election: Kejriwal Announces Ambedkar Scholarship For Dalit Students Amid Row Over Amit Shah's Remarks

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal announced a new scholarship scheme named after Dr BR Ambedkar on Saturday, targeting Dalit students ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.

This announcement comes amidst a controversy over Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on the Dalit icon in the Rajya Sabha.

Photo Credit: PTI

Kejriwal stated that the Dr Ambedkar Samman Scholarship was introduced in response to what he called Amit Shah's "disrespectful" comments about the father of the Constitution.

Addressing a rally, Kejriwal pledged that if the AAP wins the Assembly polls scheduled for February next year, the Delhi government would financially support Dalit students who secure admission to foreign universities.

"The AAP will ensure that no Dalit student in Delhi has to abandon their studies at foreign universities due to a lack of funds," he said.

Kejriwal cited Ambedkar's own struggles, recounting how the Dalit leader had to interrupt his education at the London School of Economics (LSE) due to financial constraints. "He returned home and arranged funds, after which he went back to LSE and completed his education," Kejriwal added.

Kejriwal also criticised Amit Shah for allegedly mocking Ambedkar, stating that his comments had deeply hurt Ambedkar's followers.

"No one would have imagined that in independent India, someone would mock Babasaheb Ambedkar in Parliament. In response to Amit Shah's disrespectful statement, I am making this announcement - Dr Ambedkar Samman Scholarship," Kejriwal said. He added that the scheme would also include the children of government employees.

What is the Ambedkar Row?

The controversy erupted on 17 December when Amit Shah, during a debate in the Rajya Sabha on the Constitution, accused the Congress of exploiting Ambedkar's name for political gain.

"It has now become a fashion - Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have secured a place in heaven for seven lifetimes," Shah remarked, taking a swipe at the Congress.

The Congress strongly criticised Shah's remarks, demanding his resignation and accusing him of insulting Ambedkar. The BJP, in turn, defended Shah, accusing the Congress of misrepresenting his comments and misleading the public.

Shah later clarified his statement, asserting that it had been distorted. He accused the Congress of adopting an anti-Ambedkar stance and misusing his remarks for political purposes.