Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 13 April, said that incidents of crime that have taken discourse in the last two days were an embarrassment to a civilised society. “We bow our heads in shame before the founding figures of the nation. We will not spare any culprit and justice will be delivered,” Modi said, speaking at the inauguration of the Ambedkar National Memorial in New Delhi.
Modi inaugurated the Ambedkar Memorial at 26, Alipur Road, located in the Civil Lines area of New Delhi. It was at this very spot that the Dalit icon and chairman of the Drafting Committee of India's Constitution passed away on 6 December 1956.
The prime minister said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre has strengthened the law against atrocities on Dalits.
In 2015, we strengthened the law against atrocities on Dalits. We have increased the number of crimes against Dalits enlisted in the law from 22 to 47.PM Narendra Modi
He also said that the Congress did not leave a chance to “insult” Ambedkar.
Many governments came to power after Independence, but what should have been done much before has happened now, after decades. This memorial is a tribute to Baba Saheb Ambedkar.Narendra Modi
Earlier, the prime minister took the Delhi Metro from Race Course to Civil Lines. Some commuters were seen taking photographs with the prime minister.
Modi had laid the foundation stone of the memorial earlier on 21 March 2016. The memorial has reportedly been given the shape of a book.
The museum at the memorial intends to create an immersive experience into the life of Ambedkar and his contribution to India through extensive use of static media, dynamic media, audio-visual content and multimedia technologies.Government press release
A meditation hall, a Bodhi tree and a musical fountain are all part of the memorial, a statement released by the government said, reported IANS.
(With inputs from IANS)
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