Kharge objects to confining Ambedkar’s legacy only to Dalits

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressing a public meeting after unveiling Ambedkar’s statue at Gabbur (B) village in Afzalpur taluk of Kalaburagi district on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI

All India Congress Committee (AICC) president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has opposed efforts to restrict B.R. Ambedkar’s legacy to only Dalits. Speaking at a public meeting at Gabbur (B) village of Afzalpur taluk of Kalaburagi district on Saturday, after unveiling a statue of Ambedkar, Mr. Kharge asserted that Ambedkar was a leader for all communities, not just Dalits.

“Buddha, Basava, and Ambedkar are global icons who fought for the upliftment and welfare of the downtrodden communities. They belong to the entire world, not to any one section of society. Dr. Ambedkar dedicated his life to the development of all oppressed and marginalised communities in India. It is unfortunate that some are trying to portray him merely as a leader of Dalits,” Mr. Kharge said.

Rights for all

Citing constitutional provisions such as the right to equality (Articles 14 to 18) and the right to freedom (Articles 19 to 22), Mr. Kharge highlighted Ambedkar’s inclusive vision. “These rights were enshrined in the Constitution because of Dr. Ambedkar’s efforts, and they benefit every citizen, not just one group,” he said.

Criticising discriminatory practices within Hinduism, Mr. Kharge remarked, “Untouchability exists only in Hinduism… Though some claim all Hindus are equal, they still deny Dalits opportunities to progress.”

Referring to Basavanna, Mr. Kharge noted that he rejected Hinduism due to its oppressive practices. “Basavanna, a Brahmin by birth, devoted his life to fighting untouchability, discrimination, and gender inequality. He founded the Lingayat faith based on equality.”

Highlighting the continuing marginalisation of Dalits despite Basavanna’s reforms, Mr. Kharge said many felt compelled to convert to Buddhism in search of dignity. “We Dalits find ourselves neither here [in Hinduism] nor there [in Lingayatism]. That’s why Dr. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism, a 2,600-year-old faith that treats all human beings equally.”

Countering BJP charge

Responding to the BJP’s repeated allegations that the Congress was responsible for Ambedkar’s defeat in the 1952 general elections, Mr. Kharge presented a handwritten letter by Ambedkar himself.

“In that letter, Ambedkar stated that Hindutva ideologue V.D. Savarkar and Communist leader S.A. Dange played key roles in his electoral loss,” Mr. Kharge said.

“It was the Congress that stood by Ambedkar. The Congress appointed him as the Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, inducted him into the first Union Cabinet under Nehru, and supported his vision. It was the right-wing Hindutva forces that consistently tried to suppress him,” Mr. Kharge asserted.

Drafting Constitution

To counter the claim that Ambedkar did not solely draft the Constitution, Mr. Kharge quoted T.T. Krishnamachari, a fellow member of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution.

“Krishnamachari said that among the seven members, one resigned, one died, one went to America, another was occupied with royal duties, and two were often absent from Delhi. The entire burden of drafting the Constitution fell on Ambedkar. These are not my words but those of Krishnamachari, a ‘Madrasi Brahmin’ who witnessed it firsthand,” Mr. Kharge said.