PM Narendra Modi pays tributes to B R Ambedkar on his death anniversary

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid rich tributes to the architect of the Constitution Babasaheb Ambedkar on his 58th death anniversary which is also being observed as "Mahaparinirvana Diwas".

"On his Mahaparinirvana Diwas, I bow to the venerable Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. His contribution to the nation is eternal and invaluable," Modi tweeted.

The Prime Minister, who paid floral tributes at Ambedkar's portrait in Parliament, said, "Dr Ambedkar was a man ahead of his time and we remmber his efforts to eradicate social evils and the importance he gave to education."

Noting that Ambedkar had become "a voice for the oppressed and downtrodden", Modi said, "His ideals and thoughts continue to guide us in our quest for an equal society."

BJP President Amit Shah, some other party leaders and union ministers, also paid floral tributes to Ambedkar at the party headquarters here.

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot, BJP general secretary P Muralidhar Rao and other top party leaders were also present during the event.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav paid tributes to Ambedkar on his death anniversary.

Naik said that he had not only seen Dr Ambedkar, but also heard him and he used to present his thoughts with great knowledge.

He said that Dr Ambedkar did a lot for every section of the society and paying tribute to him was duty of all.

CM Akhilesh said that throughout his life Baba Saheb struggled for the cause of down trodden, Dalits, minorities and backwards.

He said that Ambedkar made many provisions to remove inequality and to ensure social justice.