Bihar govt. introduces Ambedkar's middle name 'Ramji' in official records
In a move to commemorate Ambedkar Jayanti, the Bihar government, following in the footsteps of the UP government, has decided to introduce Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar's middle name, 'Ramji', in government and court records. The Yogi Adityanath government's move to do the same last month invited much criticism and controversy, considering the political implications of a such a move. Here's more.
Adityanath government's move faced criticism internally and externally
On March 28, the Yogi Adityanath government passed an order directing all state correspondence to address Dr. B.R. Ambedkar by his full name (Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar) since that's how his name is written in the Indian Constitution. However, the move was criticized not only from the Opposition, but also from prominent Dalit JD(U) leader Shyam Rajak who is a part of the NDA coalition government in Bihar.
The UP government's move reeks of "mischief"
"The exercise undertaken by the UP government smacks of mischief. It looks like another attempt to impose the agenda of Manuvad...and in maintaining upper caste hegemony," said JD(U) leader Shyam Rajak.
BJP: Move will break Muslim-Dalit unity, align Dalits to BJP
The political overtones of the Yogi Adityanath government's move was conceded by BJP leaders in UP - "Ramji was in the name of Ambedkar's father. Lord Ram is the Hindutva symbol and agenda of the BJP," they said. The move, said senior UP BJP leaders, would help in aligning the Dalit community with BJP, and break the Muslim-Dalit unity challenging BJP's reign.
Mayawati's two cents on the UP government's move
"There is politics being played on Baba Ambedkar Ji's name. BJP only wants votes of Dalits and does drama in the name of Ambedkar," was Mayawati's two cents on the UP government's move.
