Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju stirred controversy during a debate on the Constitution in Lok Sabha by targeting India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. He accused Nehru of being responsible for BR Ambedkar's resignation from the cabinet, citing the letter written by Ambedkar to Nehru. Rijiju also pointed out alleged discrimination faced by Ambedkar from various communities and praised the current government for its initiatives related to the social reformer.
Nehru's Role in BR Ambedkar's Resignation from Cabinet
Background
BR Ambedkar, a Dalit leader and architect of the Indian Constitution, resigned from the cabinet of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in October 1951. Ambedkar claimed in his resignation letter that the government had failed to address the concerns of Dalits, including the issue of temple entry for Dalits.
Kiren Rijiju's Accusations
In a recent debate on the Constitution in Lok Sabha, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju accused Nehru of being responsible for Ambedkar's resignation. Rijiju cited Ambedkar's resignation letter, which stated, "I feel that it is impossible for me to continue as a member of the government."
Rijiju also pointed out alleged discrimination faced by Ambedkar from various communities, including his own Brahmin community. He praised the current government for its initiatives related to social reform, claiming that it was addressing the concerns of Dalits in a way that Nehru's government had not.
Nehru's Perspective
Nehru denied responsibility for Ambedkar's resignation. He argued that Ambedkar had resigned due to personal reasons and not because of any government failure. Nehru also claimed that he had always respected Ambedkar's opinions and had done his best to address the concerns of Dalits.
Historical Context
The debate over Nehru's role in Ambedkar's resignation has historical context. Ambedkar was a vocal critic of Nehru's policies, and the two men had clashed on several occasions. Nehru was also accused of being a high-caste elitist who did not fully understand the struggles of Dalits.
However, it is important to note that there is no consensus among historians about the extent to which Nehru was responsible for Ambedkar's resignation. Some historians believe that Nehru's actions played a significant role, while others argue that Ambedkar's resignation was primarily due to personal reasons.
Top FAQs and Answers
1. What was the main reason for BR Ambedkar's resignation from the cabinet?
Ambedkar claimed in his resignation letter that the government had failed to address the concerns of Dalits, including the issue of temple entry for Dalits.
2. What were the accusations made by Kiren Rijiju against Nehru?
Rijiju accused Nehru of being responsible for Ambedkar's resignation, pointing out alleged discrimination faced by Ambedkar from various communities, including his own Brahmin community.
3. What was Nehru's response to the accusations?
Nehru denied responsibility for Ambedkar's resignation, arguing that Ambedkar had resigned due to personal reasons and not because of any government failure.
4. Is there a consensus among historians about Nehru's role in Ambedkar's resignation?
No, there is no consensus among historians about the extent to which Nehru was responsible for Ambedkar's resignation. Some historians believe that Nehru's actions played a significant role, while others argue that Ambedkar's resignation was primarily due to personal reasons.
5. What are the current initiatives of the government related to social reform?
The current government has implemented several initiatives related to social reform, including the provision of reservations for Dalits and tribals in government jobs and educational institutions, and the establishment of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST).
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