Amid the controversy over Union Home Minister Amit Shah 's remarks on BR Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced a new scholarship scheme for Dalit students. The 'Dr Ambedkar Samman Scholarship' will provide Dalit students from Delhi with free education in foreign universities. Scholarship a response to BJP's 'insult' of Ambedkar: Kejriwal Kejriwal has called the scholarship scheme a counter to the Bharatiya Janata Party 's "insult" of Ambedkar.
He said, "Union Home Minister Amit Shah insulted and made fun of Babasaheb Dr Ambedkar in Parliament. Crores of people who love Ambedkar were deeply pained." The Delhi government will bear all expenses of education, travel, and accommodation for eligible students under this scheme.
Scholarship extends to children of Dalit government employees The 'Dr Ambedkar Samman Scholarship' will also be offered to children of government employees belonging to the Dalit community. However, the details of how and when these scholarships will be distributed have not yet been revealed. This announcement comes as Delhi prepares for assembly elections next year, possibly making it a major part of the AAP's campaign strategy.
Shah's comments on Ambedkar spark controversy The controversy started after Shah's comments in the Rajya Sabha, where he said it had become a "fashion" to take Ambedkar's name often. This invited the opposition's ire with demands for Shah's resignation .