Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and leaders of different political parties in Gujarat paid tributes to Dr B R Ambedkar, the chief architect of India's Constitution, on his 132nd birth anniversary on Friday. In a tweet, CM Patel said Ambedkar prepared a strong foundation for social harmony and India's prosperity by framing the Constitution.
The chief minister along with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's Dalit leaders, including minister Bhanuben Babariya and senior MLA Ramanlal Vora, paid floral tributes to Ambedkar's painting at the Assembly complex in Gandhinagar. Patel also garlanded Ambedkar's statue in the state capital.
Gujarat BJP president and Member of Parliament C R Paatil garlanded Ambedkar's statue in Surat. In his statement, Paatil said, "Ambedkar's contribution in building the nation was unmatched. I pay my tributes to the architect of our Constitution. His values and teachings still provide us guidance and motivation."
Dalit leader and Gujarat Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani, who also heads Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch, led a rally from Girdharnagar till Sarangpur area of Ahmedabad as a tribute to Ambedkar.
Gujarat Congress leader Jagdish Thakor also paid his tributes, saying 'Bharat Ratna' Dr Ambedkar's contribution in building a harmonious society and ensuring uplift of the downtrodden still serve as a guiding light for the people.
