Ambedkar stars in RSS book show

AHMEDABAD: The RSS in Gujarat has embarked on a massive dalit outreach programme ahead of assembly elections in the state, where BJP is facing flak as `anti-dalit' in wake of the Una flogging incident. Recently , on Dussehra, the RSS had put images of Dr B R Ambedkar on their banners alongside images of RSS's founder, K B Hedgewar, during their `Samras Path Sanchalan' (a march of all communities) in Ahmedabad.
This weekend, the organization took pains to prominently display books on Ambedkar at its exhibition in Gandhinagar.
The books included `Samrasta Sivay Samajik Samta Ashakya' (there cannot be social equality without harmony) by Dattopant Thengadi, `Samajik Kranti Na Mahanayak Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar' (hero of social revolution Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar) and `Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar no Vichar Vaibhav' (intellectual grandeur of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar).
These books, too, shared exhibition space with books on Jan Sangh founder Pandit Deendayal Updhyay and others like Hedgewar and Golwalkar.
This weekend, the RSS held book exhibitions at prominent markets in Gandhinagar, namely at Infocity and Sector 21 market, and sold books on Ambedkar.
One of the books, `Samrasta Sivay Samajik Samta Ashakya' drew a parallel between Ambedkar and Hedgewar.“Both of the great human beings (Ambedkar and Hedgewar) started their ideological journeys at the same period.Coincidentally , Dr Ambedkar had set up `Bahishkrut Hitkarini Sabha' in 1924, and Dr Hedgewar had established RSS in 1925,“ the book mentioned.
One of the chapters of the book titled as `Babasaheb's Role In National Flag', claims that Amebdkar had showed his readiness to initiate agitation in support of the saffron flag.
Jagat Purohit, RSS in-charge of Gandhinagar, Sabarkantha and Arvalli districts, who was organizing the book exhibition and sale, said there are misconceptions that Ambed kar was against Hinduism.
“He had embraced Buddhism because he wanted to remain Hindu, as Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism are part of the Hindu religion. Had he opposed Hinduism, then he would have embraced Islam or Christianity ,“ Purohit said.
Purohit added that Ambedkar had fought for `bahujan' (dalits or other backward community) and RSS fights for `Sarva Jan' (all the people). “After the Una incident, RSS members were the first to reach Una and hold Samrasta Sammelan,“ he said.
Jignesh Mevani, convener of Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch (RDAM), termed the RSS initiative as an effort to cash Ambedkar's name so that they can bring dalits into their Hindutva fold.
“Amebedkar was against Hindutva activism. He not only fought against this, but also against discriminatory religious practices. Ambedkar adopted Buddhism to free himself from the clutches of Hinduism,“ said Mevani, adding, “RSS's attempts to woo dalits in the name of Ambedkar will fail.“