Insisting that Dr Ambedkar had consistently fought for the welfare of OBCs and for their reservation in the government jobs and higher education institutions, the leaders of the community have sought a change in Maharashtra government's "narrative" so that to give the chief architect of Indian constitution his full and correct identity before the people.
Days after grand celebration of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's 125th birth anniversary on April 14 this year which would be remembered more for the overenthusiasm of the right wing leaders ranging from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis who left no stone unturned to give the Dalit leader his "due credit" and claim his legacy, the Other Backward Communities (OBCs) have also sought their share of pie in his glory and legacy.
Insisting that Dr Ambedkar had consistently fought for the welfare of OBCs and for their reservation in the government jobs and higher education institutions, the leaders of the community have sought a change in Maharashtra government's "narrative" so that to give the chief architect of Indian constitution his full and correct identity before the people.
In a letter written to the social justice and special assistance department last week, the OBC leaders have stated: "Rather than projecting Dr Ambedkar as the Dalit icon, the government must project him as the Dalit and OBC icon which is more prudent as he fought for backward communities as well." They would also write to the prime minister about it requesting a change in the narrative of the Centre as well.
Interestingly, they are citing Dr Ambedkar's resignation letter from Pt Nehru cabinet in which he served as law minister, as "proof" of the Dalit leader's grave concern for the OBCs as he stated government's lackadaisical approach towards the a policy for the community as one the reasons for his resignation.
They also give credit of OBC reservation to Babsaheb even though it came in 1990 after the recommendations of the Mandal commission. "Dr Kaka Kalelkar commission of backward class was set up in 1953 because of Dr Ambedkar's pressure to consider the demand for reservation for socially and educationally backward communities in India other than ST and SC. The commission submitted its report in 1955 recommending 52% quota for the OBCs. It couldn't be implemented though as its recommendations were rejected by the Centre."
The OBC leaders are also unhappy for the reason that they were ignored and even sidelined in the grand celebration of Ambedkar's birth anniversary. To compensate, they have now organized a grand event on April 30 in Mumbai to mark Ambedkar's birth anniversary where they would "highlight" his efforts for the backward community.
"Wherever we travelled in the state and even in Mumbai, we noticed that Dr Ambedkar's birthday was being celebrated at grand level but everywhere it remained a celebration for Dalits only. Only Dalit leaders had presided in these events while OBCs were totally ignored. This was despite the fact that Dr Ambekdar had equally fought for OBCs as well," said Congress MLC Hairbhau Rathod who had submitted the petition to the state government on behalf of the community. Rathod was a BJP man till few years ago and had even represented the party in the parliament during Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.
When asked why the community leaders were silent all these years and whether they have come forward now when Ambedkar is being glorified by the BJP governments at the Centre and the state, Rathod said: "Even we were unaware of the fact that Dr Ambedkar had resigned because of the then Central government's no action on OBC reservation."
What had Ambedkar written in his resignation speech
Copy of Dr Ambedkar's resignation letter dated September 27, 1951 is available at Ambedkar's writing, Volume 14 lists out various reasons of his resignation. This included his perception that Nehru didn't give him much recognition within the cabinet and had offered him much less "work" than he deserved or others in the cabinet had due to handling multiple portfolios. Besides, Nehru's "foreign policy" and dumping of Hindu code Bill.
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