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Govt apathy on Ambedkar's works draws ire

Writer and Dalit leader Arjun Dangle noted that the move raised the threat of these rare and antiquated books, papers and photographs being destroyed or stolen

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The state government's apathy towards books, documents, photos and letters of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar has come under attack from leaders across party lines.

The government's Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Source Material Publication Committee, which is the custodian of this material and uses it to publish works by the icon of the oppressed classes, has been shifted from Nariman Point to a cubbyhole in Ballard Estate after the office was acquired for the construction of a metro station.

However, the new space lacks facilities like proper storage, security and ventilation, which has imperiled these rare and aged books and papers as reported by DNA on May 3.

Writer and Dalit leader Arjun Dangle noted that the move raised the threat of these rare and antiquated books, papers and photographs being destroyed or stolen. "On one hand, the state government speaks about erecting Babasaheb's statue and on the other hand, it ignores his works. This is a glaring contradiction. The publication of his works is more important for the future than constructing statues," he said.

MLC Jogendra Kawade of the Peoples' Republican Party (PRP) said he would meet education minister Vinod Tawade, who is the committee's chairman to seek that the papers and books be shifted to an appropriate location. "Babasaheb's thoughts must be taken to the masses through his books," he charged.

"We condemn the way in which the rare books and documents of Ambedkar have been neglected. This was handled correctly," said Sachin Sawant, Congress general secretary and spokesperson.

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