Tags:
Journalism of Courage
After incorporating the Bhim Ganga in her dream project, the Ambedkar Park, former UP chief minister Mayawati is inaugurating a ‘‘memorial for the living’’ as a symbol of Dalit pride in Lucknow on June 3.
BSP sources say the Bahujan Samaj Prena Kendra will have statues of Mayawati and Kanshi Ram, besides a number of features that will ‘‘give a sense pride in being a Dalit’’. According to state BSP chief Barkhu Ram Verma, it will be like a temple for the Dalit.
Mayawati’s mentor, the ailing Kanshi Ram, may not be able to attend the inauguration, but the state capital is already being painted blue for the event.
Banners and posters have been put up appealing for massive participation.
Kanshi Ram had expressed a wish to Mayawati during a public meeting in 2002 that his statue be installed in Lucknow before he died. Mayawati agreed, adding that her statue too would come up while ‘‘both are alive.’’
A site for the statues was found on Mall Avenue, adjacent to the party office and construction was started. Three years later, the final touches are being given to the 70-feet high building. The ‘inspiration centre’ also has statues of Dalit ideologues, including Bhimrao Ambedkar, and a detailed history of how Kanshi Ram and Mayawati have worked for welfare of Dalits. Including a massive library, the kendra is estimated to have cost the party Rs 3 crore.
‘‘Behnji will be inaugurating the prena kendra on June 3. This will be like a temple for the dalit. When the Bhim Ganga was flowing, many dalits even took the water in bottles back home (like Gangajal). There will be a similar response for this centre also,’’ said Barkhu Ram Verma.
June 3 is auspicious for BSP workers because that’s the day on which Mayawati became the chief minister of UP for the first time in 1995.
The Bhim Ganga, which used to overflow into the Ambedkar Park when Mayawati was chief minister, has dried up now. The park too is in bad shape.
