Mayawati disrespected Ambedkar by building her statue beside his: Union Minister Ram Shankar Katheria

Union Minister Ram Shankar Katheria on Saturday said BSP president Mayawati has shown disrespect to Bhim Rao Ambedkar by installing her statues along with his.

"Ambedkar is respected by all Indians and BSP chief Mayawati has shown disrespect to him by installing her own statues beside his," Katheria said while talking to reporters here.To a question on the stalemate in Parliament over local MP and Union Minister of State Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti's controversial remarks, Katheria said the opposition has no issue and so they are not allowing the precious time of the House to be used in the interest of the people.

"After she apologised for her statement and Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to the House to pardon her, the continued opposition is not in people's interest...the time which is needed to be used for development issues is not being used by the opposition parties for the welfare of people," he said.

The Union Minister of State for HRD, who was here to take part in a seminar on the occasion of Ambedkar's death anniversary on Saturday said Baba Saheb worked for the welfare of not only Dalits but the mankind. "He fought for the dignity of women, labourers and because of him, acts for the welfare of these sections were enacted," he said.

Baba Saheb believed that Lord Ram does not belong to a handful of people but to the entire society and so they should get the right to perform prayers. "Only 20 to 25% people cannot empower and develop the country by becoming educated... until the dalits, backwards as well as all sections of society are educated, the country will not become a developed nation," he said.