Shun disruptive ways to raise concerns: President Ram Nath Kovind

At a time when Dalits have taken to the streets to voice their concerns, President Ram Nath Kovind has invoked BR Ambedkar who, he said, had placed high virtues in the “constitutional methods of expressing opposition” and shunned “disruptive mechanisms”.

President’s appeal came during an address at a function in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, to mark the 127th birth anniversary of Babasaheb Dr BR Ambedkar on Saturday. It was an attempt to reach out to the agitated Dalits and tribals following the deaths of nine persons in April 2 Bharat Bandh called against the Supreme Court verdict on the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

“Dr Ambedkar emphasised the values of non-violence and compassion in public life. He fought for the welfare of weaker sections of society but his path remained non-violent — stressing on consensus through dialogue. He believed that this was our country, for all of us, and that whatever needed to be done to bring justice to the weaker sections of society could be achieved by adhering to social harmony. In his final speech in the Constituent Assembly, Dr Ambedkar said now that we have constitutional methods of expressing opposition, we should avoid disruptive mechanisms,” President Kovind said.


In his speech, he was committed to also espousing Ambedkar’s stress on being an Indian “was his primary, secondary and ultimate identity” — an oblique advocacy to refrain from falling for divisive forces.

“Our country is run on democratic traditions — elections are held, governments are formed, and the future of citizens is worked towards. There is a need for people to be aware of challenges and opportunities — and to exercise their democratic rights wisely,” Kovind stated in his speech.