The Hindu : National : Shifting Ambedkar Foundation will send a bad signal: CPI

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Thursday, Oct 14, 2004

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National

Shifting Ambedkar Foundation will send a bad signal: CPI

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, OCT.13. The Communist Party of India today asked the Government to reconsider the decision to shift the Ambedkar Foundation from the heart of the capital and urged the Prime Minister to intervene."The decision of the Government will send a very bad signal to the intellectuals, activists and Dalit masses. It is likely to cause [a] severe reaction against the United Progressive Alliance Government," the CPI National Secretary, D. Raja, said in letter to the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh.

Mr. Raja said that during the B.R. Ambedkar centenary celebrations in 1991-92, the Committee decided, among other things, to establish a Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Foundation, a Dr. Ambedkar National Public Library and to acquire Baba Saheb's Maha Parnivaran Sthal at 26, Alipur Road, Delhi.

Land allotted

The Foundation and the National Public Library had been allotted about four acres, which comprised five bungalows, on Janpath, by a Cabinet decision. A decision to take possession of the Alipur Road place and establish a memorial and a museum had been taken during the rule of the National Democratic Alliance Government. It shifted the Foundation, earlier located on Ashoka Road, to Janpath and the stone was laid for its construction. However, the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry, has now decided to shift the Foundation and establish a National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities, through a Cabinet note.

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