No other govt has honoured Ambedkar as we did: PM Modi

Even as dalit protests continue in several parts of the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on Congress, saying the opposition party was always doing politics in the name of dalit icon B.R. Ambedkar.

Speaking at a programme to mark the inauguration of a building of Western Court Annexe in Parliament complex, Modi said no other government had honoured Ambedkar as his government did.

“Everybody is always ready to do politics in the name of Babasahib. But nobody gave him the kind of respect and paid tributes to him as much as this government did," the Prime Minister said.

Saying that his government was walking on the path shown by Ambedkar, Modi urged every political party to do the same.

“At the core of Ambedkar's ideals is peace and togetherness. Working for the poorest of the poor is our mission,” he said.

HIs remarks came days after at least nine people were killed in widespread violence during protests by dalit groups across the country against a Supreme Court ruling that diluted provisions of a law aimed at preventing atrocities against dalits and tribes.