NEW DELHI: In a bid to make a political statement, BJP will hold its upcoming national executive at the new Ambedkar International Centre in the heart of the New Delhi area, where its political resolution is likely to focus of empowerment issues concerning Dalits and backward castes. A fusion of Buddhist and present day architecture — the centre was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi — and is next door to Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan .

The August 18-19 meeting is expected to praise the government for restoring the automatic arrest clause in the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act that was struck down by the Supreme Court. This is the first major event being hosted by the Ambedkar Centre.

BJP has held its recent events at the NDMC convention centre and the move comes in the wake of the party’s efforts to counter attacks that it is against Dalits.

The executive is expected to reiterate the party’s commitment to reservations and list actions taken to honour Ambedkar. BJP has made concerted efforts to win over Dalits, highlighting construction of the Ambedkar International Centre and five other sites related to the life of the Dalit icon which it refers to as the ‘Panch-teerth

