Dr Ambedkar's grandson declines invitation to Ayodhya's Ram Mandir Inauguration, cites political appropriation

Sabke Ram: Ahead of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22, Prakash Ambedkar, President of Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadhi (VBA) and grandson of Dr BR Ambedkar, has announced his decision to abstain from the inauguration. In a letter shared on X, he expressed concerns about the event being politically exploited by the BJP-RSS.

BJP-RSS Appropriation

In the posted letter, Prakash Ambedkar clarified that he will not attend the ceremony due to the BJP-RSS's appropriation of the religious event for electoral gains. He highlighted the transformation of a sacred occasion into a political campaign, echoing the sentiments of his grandfather, Dr B.R. Ambedkar, who had warned against prioritizing creed over country.

I received an invitation for the inauguration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

I will NOT be attending the said event because the event has been appropriated by the BJP-RSS; a religious event has become a political campaign for electoral gains.

My grandfather Dr. B.R. Ambedkar warned… pic.twitter.com/XmK7gjbfNf

— Prakash Ambedkar (@Prksh_Ambedkar) January 17, 2024

Warning from Dr BR Ambedkar

Quoting his grandfather's cautionary words, Balasaheb Ambedkar emphasized that the fear expressed by Dr BR Ambedkar about the endangerment of independence due to prioritizing creed over the nation has materialized. He pointed out that the BJP-RSS, in "placing creed over country," has co-opted the religious event to advance its political agenda.

Saluting Icons

The letter concluded with Prakash Ambedkar paying homage to iconic figures, saluting Mahatma Phule, Savitri Mai, Shahu Maharaj, and Babasaheb Ambedkar.