PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid tribute to Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, a social reformer, economist, jurist and the Architect of India’s Constitution, on his birth anniversary. Ambedkar dedicated his life to the empowerment of the deprived and the exploited sections of society, Modi tweeted, posting an audio clip of his earlier remarks on Ambedkar’s life. At a ceremony in the Parliament complex, President Droupadi Murmu and the Prime Minister were joined by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in paying floral tributes to Ambedkar. President Droupadi Murmu on Friday extended her greetings on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Dalit icon and the Father of the Constitution, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Taking to Twitter, Murmu said, “I extend my heartiest greetings and best wishes to all fellow citizens on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the Architect of our Constitution, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.” Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde offered floral tributes to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on the occasion of his birth anniversary. Speaking at an event in Mumbai to mark Ambedkar Jayanti, CM Shinde said, “We are the largest democracy in the world and this has been possible because of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.” CM Shinde was accompanied by Governor Ramesh Bais and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. “Babasaheb Ambedkar has worked for equality all his life. Ambedkar gave our country a Constitution which assured equal rights and opportunities to everyone,” Deputy CM Fadnavis said.

The Governor planted a sapling on the premises of Chaityabhumi and visited an exhibition of photographs on the life of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar put up by the Public Relations branch of the BMC. A Tri-Sharan Buddha Vandana was recited on the occasion. Flower petals were showered on the memorial from a helicopter. The Governor also presented the holy ochre clothes to the Bhantes on the occasion. Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararjan, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, leaders of the ruling BRS, Opposition BJP, Congress and others in Telangana paid rich tributes to Dr B R Ambedkar on Friday.

In a message, the Governor said Ambedkar is one of India’s greatest sons who shaped the country’s Constitution.

Launching a scathing attack on the Government on Dr B R Ambedkar’s birth anniversary, former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Friday alleged that the regime in power is “misusing and subverting” the institutions of the Constitution, and the people must act to defend the Constitution from this “systematic assault”. Penning an article in ‘The Telegraph’ on the birth anniversary of Ambedkar, the Architect of India’s Constitution, Gandhi said today the real “anti-nationals” are those who are misusing their power to divide Indians against each other – on the grounds of religion, language, caste and gender. “As we honour Babasaheb’s legacy today, we must remember his prescient warning that the success of the Constitution depends on the conduct of the people entrusted with the duty to govern,” the Congress parliamentary party President said. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday paid his tributes to the Architect of India’s Constitution, Dr B R Ambedkar, on his birth anniversary. “Equality, Liberty, Fraternity and Justice - The universal values Babasaheb Ambedkar championed, will always remain our guiding light and strength! Tributes to the Architect of India’s Constitution on his birth anniversary,” the Congress leader tweeted. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, too, paid his tributes to the Dalit icon on Ambedkar Jayanti.