In the wake of the ongoing row sparked by Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks about Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha, former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced a new scholarship scheme aimed at benefiting Dalit students. The scheme, named ‘Dr. Ambedkar Samman Scholarship,’ is a direct response to what Kejriwal describes as the BJP’s “insult” of the Dalit icon.
Speaking on Saturday, Kejriwal stated that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government would offer free education in foreign universities for Dalit students from Delhi. He further emphasized that the scheme would also cover the children of Dalit government employees, providing them with financial assistance for their education, travel, and accommodation.”
This scholarship will enable Dalit government employees to send their children abroad for higher education without bearing any costs. The Delhi government will cover the full expenses,” Kejriwal explained. However, details on when the scholarships would be disbursed and the application process remain unclear.
Kejriwal’s announcement comes amid rising tensions following Amit Shah’s controversial statement in Parliament. Shah had downplayed the reverence for Dr. Ambedkar, stating that it had become a “fashion” to invoke his name, and making a provocative remark about the Opposition. Kejriwal, visibly agitated by Shah’s comments, said, “The BJP may insult Baba Saheb, but I will always respect him. This is my tribute to him.”The scholarship announcement also comes as Delhi prepares for its upcoming assembly elections, signaling a potential political move by Kejriwal to consolidate support among Dalit voters.
The row over Ambedkar intensified earlier this week when Amit Shah responded to a debate on the Constitution in the Rajya Sabha. He dismissed the repeated references to Ambedkar as a mere “fashion” and criticized the Opposition for invoking his name too frequently. The statement drew sharp criticism from various political parties, including Congress and the Trinamool Congress, which filed privilege motions against Shah. In his defense, Shah accused the Congress of distorting facts and using selectively edited videos to mislead the public.
The controversy continues to spark heated debates, with the opposition demanding Shah’s resignation, while he remains firm in his stance, stating that his resignation would not resolve the issues raised by his critics.
