KTR slams Congress for disrespecting Ambedkar, neglecting Dalit welfare

Speaking at Telangana Bhavan after paying tributes to Ambedkar’s portrait, Rama Rao reminded the previous BRS government’s efforts in honouring Ambedkar by installing his world's tallest statue and naming the State Secretariat after him

Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao on Friday came down heavily on the Congress government in Telangana for disrespecting Dr BR Ambedkar and undermining his legacy on the occasion of his death anniversary on Friday.

Slamming Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for neglecting the world’s tallest 125-foot Ambedkar statue near Tank Bund, Rama Rao said it was abandoned and public access to it restricted.

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Speaking at Telangana Bhavan after paying tributes to Ambedkar’s portrait, Rama Rao reminded the previous BRS government’s efforts in honouring Ambedkar by installing his world’s tallest statue and naming the State Secretariat after him.

“The Congress government didn’t even bother to clean or garland the statue. When we planned to visit the memorial to clean it ourselves, our leaders were placed under house arrest,” he said.

He criticised Revanth Reddy for insulting Ambedkar’s ideology by locking the statue’s premises and obstructing public access. He also slammed the Congress for historically disrespecting Ambedkar, both during his lifetime and after his death.

On Dalit welfare under Congress rule, the BRS working president said the Congress had cancelled cheques issued under Dalit Bandhu by the previous BRS government, stopped Ambedkar Overseas Scholarships, and neglected tribal welfare. He pointed out that promises like Ambedkar Abhayahastham had not materialised, while Dalit Bandhu beneficiaries were facing cases for seeking funds.

“This government’s actions against Dalits expose its neglect and disregard for social justice,” he said.

Targeting Rahul Gandhi, Rama Rao called out the Congress leader’s silence on the dictatorial actions of his own party in Telangana.

“Rahul Gandhi talks about safeguarding the Constitution but ignores the unconstitutional actions of his party in Telangana. BRS legislators, elected by the people, are being restricted from reaching out to those in need,” he said.

On the upcoming inauguration of a redesigned Telangana Thalli statue, the BRS working president questioned the secrecy and intent behind the move. He accused Revanth Reddy of attempting to erase Telangana’s cultural identity, calling the redesign an insult to the aspirations of the statehood movement.

“Telangana Thalli was created after consultations with poets, artists, and intellectuals during the statehood movement. Revanth Reddy’s attempts to replace it with a ‘Congress Thalli’ reflects his narrow-mindedness,” he said. He vowed to reinstall the Telangana Thalli statue at its rightful place when the BRS returned to power.

Rama Rao also demanded a month-long Assembly session to discuss issues such as agricultural distress, suicides among farmers, weavers, and auto drivers, and the poor state of government schools.

“We will not remain silent; we will fight for the people of Telangana,” he declared.

Responding to the Chief Minister’s criticism of BRS leaders’ remarks, he reminded that Revanth Reddy had a history of abusing Sonia Gandhi and was now targeting BRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao.

“Respect is mutual and earned, not begged. If Revanth Reddy stops his abusive rhetoric against our leader Chandrashekhar Rao, we will respect him and his position. Otherwise, we will respond in equal measure,” he warned.