The tallest statue of Dr BR Ambedkar outside India was inaugurated in the US state of Maryland on October 14. Ambedkar was the principal architect of India's Constitution and played a crucial role in advocating equal rights for the Dalit community in India.
Referred to as the "Statue of Equality," over 500 Indian Americans from various parts of the United States and some attendees from India and other countries were present at the unveiling ceremony of the 19-foot tall statue amidst chants of "Jai Bhim."
The statue has been sculpted by artist Ram Sutar, also known for his work on the Sardar Patel statue, called the Statue of Unity, installed on an island in Narmada, downstream of the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat.
The Ambedkar International Center (AIC), sprawling across 13 acres in Accokeek township, will encompass facilities like a library, convention centre, and Buddha Garden. Speaking after the statue unveiling ceremony, Ram Kumar, the president of AIC, stated that it is being called the equality statue because the issue of inequality is present in various forms worldwide and is not just limited to India.
Deelip Mhaske, who leads the Ambedkarite movement in the US, emphasised that the "Statue of Equality" represents 1.4 billion Indians and 4.5 million Indian Americans. He sees the statue as an inspiring symbol for all communities, not only among Indian-Americans but also Blacks, Hispanics, and others.
Mhaske believes this event is a significant step towards uniting the Indian-American diaspora and contributing to India's advancement in technology and social justice.
Post-Independence, Dr Ambedkar also served as the Minister of Law and Justice in Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's first Cabinet. He played a pivotal role in social movements advocating for the rights of Dalits and untouchables. He passed away on December 6, 1956, just months after he embraced Buddhism on October 14, coinciding with the statue's unveiling in Maryland. October 14 is celebrated as Dhamma Chakra Parivartan Din by Ambedkarites.
(With inputs from PTI)