Why Everyone Wants A Piece Of Ambedkar

As dalits assert their presence through activism, arts and political engagement, political parties have accepted Ambedkar as an icon they need to extol and celebrate. Unlike other political heroes, who are bracketed in specific ideological streams, Ambedkar enjoys an uncontested legacy and his stock continues to rise in India and abroad

- Pratul Sharma

A finger pointed towards the distant horizon, as if guiding his followers to salvation; the Constitution held closely under his left arm; a suit with two pens tucked in the breast pocket, the statutes of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar are mostly similar across the country. The Ambedkar iconography has remained largely the same since it was first designed by sculptor Brahmesh Wagh and installed in the Parliament complex in 1967.

Unlike Mahatma Gandhi's statues in which the father of the nation can be seen with different emotions and in multiple poses, Ambedkar's statues-which outnumber the statues of any other political figure in the country-have mostly retained his resolute look. For the dalit community in India, his statues have an added sociopolitical significance, being a visible marker of their identity.

As dalits assert their presence through activism, arts, political engagement, and often vociferous protests whenever the community is targeted, political parties are forced to look at Ambedkar as an icon they need to extol. Unlike other political heroes, who are often bracketed in divergent ideological streams, Ambedkar has emerged as a leader with an uncontested legacy as the country celebrates 75 years of independence. As the Indian Constitution proved to be a resilient document encompassing the diversity of a young nation, Ambedkar's contribution in giving a framework to the country makes him a formidable national leader whose stock continues to rise in India and abroad.