Mysuru: The architect of Indian Constitution Dr. B.R. Ambedkar caught the imagination of the whole world with his intellectual prowess. Hence, the statue of Ambedkar as tall as that of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel must be built, opined Kannada Sahitya Academy President Prof. Aravinda Malagatti.

He was speaking after releasing the book titled ‘Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: Jeevantikeya Sakshi’ written by Dr. K.P. Mahalingu Kalkunda at a function jointly organised by Dalit and Backward Classes Coordination Forum and Federation of Dalit Organisations at the Institution of Engineers-India (IEI) here on Sunday.

“The tallest statue of Sardar Patel installed in Gujarat is welcome. But the statue of Dr. Ambedkar who is the soul of the country must also be built in the same way which will enhance the prestige of the country,” he said.

After Modi became the Prime Minister, he launched the celebration of Constitution Day, which is a very good development. He has installed the statue of Congress leader Sardar Patel, though he (Modi) himself is in another party. It is the true essence of democracy that one party respects the leader of another party, he said.

In the light of statues being desecrated, he was against erecting them in the 1980s. However, his opinion has changed now as in every city and town there are Ambedkar statues. This shows the love of the people towards Ambedkar, he said.

Gandhinagar’s Uralinga Peddi Mutt Seer Sri Jnanaprakasha Swamiji, speaking after inaugurating the programme, said the Constitution of India upholds the unity of the country. Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda had proudly said that Constitution was responsible for him to become the Prime Minister.

Narendra Modi who was selling tea, Abdul Kalam who was selling newspapers, have all held the highest Constitutional posts and our Constitution is responsible for this. However, there are people today, who do not agree with this Constitution and criticise it, he regretted.

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