Unveiling a massive 206 feet tall statue of Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar at Vijayawada today, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy accused the TDP of promoting untouchability by discriminating against the poor and marginalised sections of the society.

Prior to the unveiling of the statue at Ambedkar Smriti Vanam, Reddy addressed a public rally called Samajika Samata Sankalpa Sabha at the Indira Gandhi Municipal stadium.

The Chief Minister said that the ‘Statue of Social Justice’ has been installed to honour Babasaheb, who had tirelessly fought for marginalised section of the society and women.

“Even after 75 years of Independence, untouchability persists in various forms. The disparities in education, healthcare, access to government schemes are the modern forms of untouchability. Privatisation of buses and inequal distribution of benefits are other forms of social injustice,” said Reddy.

He then slammed the TDP reminding the people how the poor were hassled by the Janmabhoomi Committees set up by the then ruling party, which decided on the beneficiaries of the government schemes.

He also said the plan to make Amaravati the capital city was also because of the same practice of untouchability followed by the TDP.

“That is why assigned Dalit lands were converted into profitable real estate ventures for the affluent classes,” he said.

He also accused the Opposition of going to the courts claiming that plots given to poor to build their houses (at Amaravati) will upset the social balance. When his government introduced English as a medium of instruction, the Opposition moved court to stop poor children from getting quality education, he said.

The statue unveiled today is 125 feet tall and set on a pedestal about 81 feet high. It was built at a cost of Rs 400 crore. The foundation stone was laid on 21 December, 2021.

The YSRCP supremo is also consolidating his vote bank of SC, ST, BC and minorities by giving them nominations in the upcoming General and assembly elections in the state. In the fourth list of candidates released yesterday most of them belonged to the SC community.

The TDP and the Jana Sena have, however, attacked Reddy, saying that Dr Babasaheb upheld personal liberty and human rights and the Chief Minister violated all the principles for which Dr Ambedkar stood.