AAP launches scholarship scheme for Dalit students who get admission in top foreign varsities; BJP hits out

Kejriwal told mediapersons: “Three days ago, in Parliament, Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah insulted Babasaheb Ambedkar. The words he used were not only derogatory, but the tone in which he spoke was deeply mocking… This personally hurt me greatly as I consider myself a bhakt (devotee) of Babasaheb Ambedkar.”

Replying to the two-day debate in Rajya Sabha on the ‘Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India’, Shah Tuesday said: “Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai — Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar… Itna naam agar Bhagwan ka lete toh saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (There is a fashion these days — Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar… Had you chanted the name of God these many times, you would have been blessed with heaven in seven births).”

To honour Ambedkar, Kejriwal said he was making a significant announcement: “Inspired by Babasaheb’s struggles and his commitment to education, I don’t want any child from the Dalit community to be deprived of higher education because of the shortage of funds. That’s why I am announcing the ‘Dr Ambedkar Samman Scholarship’ today.”

Under the scheme, Kejriwal said, any Dalit student who secures admission to any of the world’s top universities can proceed with their admission without worrying about finances since the AAP government, if voted to power again, will cover all their expenses, including tuition fees, travel, and other costs. The scheme, he added, will also be applicable to children of Dalit government employees.

“I firmly believe even honest government servants often cannot afford to send their children abroad for education without a scholarship. This scheme ensures their children can also follow in the footsteps of Babasaheb Ambedkar and achieve their dreams,” Kejriwal said.

“Today, through this initiative, we are giving a strong response to the mockery made by the BJP and Amit Shah. This is our way of empowering the Dalit community and honoring Babasaheb’s legacy,” he added.

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva termed Kejriwal a “political weather scientist skilled at repackaging old schemes under new names” according to the prevailing political climate.

“The announcement is a classic case of old wine in a new bottle… Kejriwal had similarly announced a scheme for higher education scholarships for Scheduled Caste students before the 2020 polls; that scheme has remained stagnant ever since. Yet, Kejriwal has now reintroduced it with a new name,” he alleged.

In August 2019, the AAP Delhi Cabinet had approved a scholarship scheme to fund higher studies of 100 Dalit students overseas each year.

Delhi BJP Secretary Harish Khurana, citing an RTI reply on the disbursal of funds under the scheme launched in 2020, sought an answer regarding student scholarships.

“You are an amazingly clever man, brother @ArvindKejriwal. One scheme announced several times. The scheme for SC children to study abroad has been running since 2020 but the reality is money was given to send only five children abroad, that too only Rs 25 lakh. Five children in five years, this is your fake respect for Baba Saheb,” Khurana posted on X.