Tamil Nadu: CM Stalin Declares Ambedkar's Birth Anniversary As 'Equality Day'

Stalin also announced that selected works of Ambedkar would be translated and published in Tamil.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin (Image: Twitter)

New Delhi: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced in the Assembly on Wednesday that the birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar on April 14 would be celebrated as ‘Equality Day’ from this year onwards.

Making a statement under Rule 110 in the House, CM Stalin said that a pledge would also be taken across the state on that day.

According to a government order, the crux of the pledge to be taken in all government offices, would be upholding and following equality and the oath would be against caste discrimination.

Saying that Ambedkar’s opinions have depth and substance and that they are a beacon to the future, Stalin announced that selected works of Ambedkar would also be translated and published in Tamil.

Accepting the request of Lok Sabha MP and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thol Thirumavalavan, Stalin said a life size bronze statue of Ambedkar would be also installed in the Ambedkar Manimandapam in Chennai.

A representation was made in an Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department meeting that Ambedkar’s birth anniversary be declared Equality Day.

Stalin said that the goal of social justice is achieving equality and added that the government is for swift action on any representation aimed at the growth of all the Tamils.

Notably, reformist leader Periyar’s birth anniversary, on September 17, has already been declared as Social Justice Day by the DMK government.

Ambedkar Jayanti or Bhim Jayanti is marked annually on April 14 in order to pay homage to the father of the Constitution of India, Dr BR Ambedkar, also known as Babasaheb Ambedkar.