AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal accuses BJP of paying 'hollow homage' to Ambedkar

The Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on April 14 accused the BJP of paying tribute to B R Ambedkar “out of compulsion” while failing to uphold his core principles, particularly in the field of education.

“While running our party and government, we try to follow Babasaheb’s path. Today, many parties and leaders commemorate him merely for show — they don’t follow his ideals,” said Kejriwal, speaking at an event at the AAP headquarters to mark Ambedkar's birth anniversary.

“For instance, no other party gives importance to education, which was one of his core principles,” he added.

Kejriwal alleged that the BJP government in Delhi is undermining Ambedkar’s vision by discontinuing educational initiatives introduced by the previous AAP administration in government schools.

“Name one BJP-ruled state where significant work has been done in education. Earlier, I believed they lacked the ability to improve the education system, but now I’m convinced they simply do not want to. They bow before Babasaheb out of compulsion. They don’t like him because he advocated for universal adult franchise, which many opposed,” he claimed.

The BJP has not yet responded to Kejriwal’s remarks.

Delhi AAP president Saurabh Bharadwaj said that the party is committed to Ambedkar’s ideals.

“We are dedicated to ensuring quality education and promoting unity among all sections of society, without exploiting divisions for political gain,” he said.

Atishi, the leader of the opposition in the Delhi Assembly, also paid tribute to Ambedkar in a post on X.

“Tributes to Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar on his birth anniversary... (He) gave self-respect, rights, and justice to crores of Indians through the Constitution. We will fulfill Babasaheb’s dream for this country by fighting every form of dictatorship and oppression with the power of the Constitution. Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan,” she wrote.

Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, a pioneering lawyer, and a social reformer, was born into a Dalit house on April 14, 1891. He also served as India’s first law minister.