Why only Dalit icon, Ambedkar is an OBC icon too

Days after the grand celebration of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's 125th birth anniversary on April 14, which would be remembered more for the over-enthusiasm of the right wing leaders ranging from prime minister Narendra Modi to 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 sought their share of pie in his glory and legacy.

Insisting that Ambedkar had consistently fought for the welfare of OBCs and even 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 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 PM about it requesting a change in the narrative of the Centre as well.

Interestingly, they are citing 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 gave credit of OBC reservation to Ambedkar 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 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 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 organised a grand event on April 30 in Mumbai to mark Ambedkar's 125th 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 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 Ambekdar had equally fought for OBCs also," says 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 Vajpayi 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 Ambedkar had resigned because of the then Central government's no action on OBC reservation."

Social justice and special assistance Minister Rajkumar Badole

What had Dr Ambedkar written in his resignation speech?

Dr Ambedkar who was the law minister in Nehru-led government has put in his papers on 27 September 1951. Copy of his resignation speech dated 10 October 1951 is available at "Ambedkar's writing, Volume 14" lists out various reasons for his decision. Besides, highlighting his dissent towards less important portfolio, foreign policy, Kashmir issue and dumping of Hindu code Bill, Ambedkar also cited government's ignorance towards setting up commission of backward classes as the reasons of his resignation.

"I will now refer to another matter that had made me dissatisfied with the Government. It relates to the treatment accorded to the Backward Classes and the Scheduled Castes. I was very sorry that the Constitution did not embody any safeguards for the Backward Classes. It was left to be done by the executive government on the basis of the recommendations of a commission to be appointed by the President. More than a year has elapsed since we passed the Constitution. But the government has not even thought of appointing the commission. "