Ambedkar believed education was key to preserving independence: MP CM Yadav

Gwalior, Jul 5 (PTI) Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar believed that for the country to remain free for a long time, people must become educated, organised, and committed to struggle, said Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Saturday.

He was speaking at a “social harmony” programme at the Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Agriculture University campus in Gwalior, where Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and State Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar were also present.

“Babasaheb Ambedkar had said that if the country is to remain free for a long time, we must not run away from problems, but instead become educated, organised, and struggle against them. We must always remember this noble sentiment. Only then will social harmony be achieved,” said Yadav.

Social harmony has special significance on Gwalior’s soil, he said. “The backdrop of this programme reminds us of the freedom struggle and the sacrifices made. Our prime minister has said that while the world gave wars, India gave Buddha,” Yadav told the gathering.

Key figures like Adi Shankaracharya, Mahatma Gandhi, Dr Ambedkar and RSS founder Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar contributed significantly to the idea of unity, he said.

“During the 20th century, when India’s independence was still a distant dream, Mahatma Gandhi came out with a message of love. Then Dr Ambedkar and Dr Hedgewar came into the picture. The world sees social harmony in his (RSS) shakhas.

“Ambedkar once visited a shakha where he observed that if the country was to remain free for long, then the shakha model could also serve as a means to eradicate social discrimination,” the CM said.

Scindia praised Yadav, saying he not only drives development but also promotes social harmony.

The Union minister also drew a personal connection, saying his wife belongs to the Gaekwad family, which had supported Ambedkar’s education.

“Dr Ambedkar's ideology emphasised education, organisation and struggle, which are the values enshrined in our Constitution. He ensured equal rights for all, including women,” Scindia said.

He announced that a grand ‘Ambedkar Dham’ would soon be built in Jaurasi village near Dabra.

“The BJP government is making this possible. The dham will span over 50,000 square feet and be built in two phases,” he said, thanking the CM for “preserving” Ambedkar’s legacy.

Earlier in the day, Yadav inaugurated development works at the ISBT complex. He said the state government was actively pursuing river-related initiatives, including the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal link and the Ken-Betwa linking project. The estimated cost of the Chambal project is Rs 70,000 crore. PTI COR LAL NR