CM lays stone of college, stirs row

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 28

As Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today laid the foundation stone of a Government Degree College for Girls, he annoyed the Dalits by failing to honour a commitment made to the community of naming it after Dr BR Ambedkar.

The name of Dr Ambedkar for the college was not just missing in his speech but also in the foundation stone, the hoarding at the backdrop of the stage and even in the press release of the function that followed. The college name as Dr BR Ambedkar Degree College for Girls’ was, however, read on few hoardings bearing the picture of local MLA Sushil Rinku that led to the venue.

The announcement regarding starting the college had been made at the state-level Ambedkar Jayanti function in Jalandhar on April 14 last year by the CM. Since the constituency where the college is slated to be constructed at a cost of Rs 13 crore is reserved, reactions followed almost immediately after the laying of the stone.

Soon after today’s function, Dalit workers of the area started lodging a protest. Santosh Kumari, a member of the committee and BSP worker, said the demand of the residents had only been partially accepted.

“We wanted the college to be named after Dr Ambedkar. We had met the Chief Minister’s wife Preneet Kaur with that demand and she had given us an assurance. We warn the government to add the name of Dr Ambedkar to the college soon or else we will chalk out the next plan of action,” she added.