Dalit organisations in Gujarat have taken to the streets demanding the construction of the tallest statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar, taller than the statue of Sardar Patel being built by the Narendra Modi government.





While the chief minister and his cabinet colleagues have been travelling across the country as part of their iron collection drive for the tallest statue in the world, the Statue of Unity, the demands for an Ambedkar statue is growing louder. The Statue of Unity is expected to cost the state government Rs 2,500 crore.



Dalit organisations have started awareness campaigns and a meeting was held on Republic Day on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.



The meeting was also attended by Ambedkar’s grandson, Prakash Ambedkar.



While addressing the meet, he said, “In our social life we now need to examine whether religion or Constitution holds an important role, that is why there is need for such a statue.’’



He said it would serve as an icon for the youth and provide them an insight into the contributions of Babasaheb Ambedkar for modern India.



The organisations claim that their movement was apolitical and hence have come under an umbrella outfit, the Samata Shakti Dal, which will press for their demands.



Special paraphernalia, matchboxes and candles carrying the message will be distributed in villages in the days to come about their mission. Another dalit activist, Jayesh Parmar, said: “Babasaheb Ambedkar had worked for the entire nation. Still he is being wrongly branded just a dalit leader.” Ambedkar was a national leader and that is why we believe that they should have his tallest statue, he added.



