Lucknow, Mar 5 (UP): On Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized the BJP-led “double-engine” government’s dedication to Bhimrao Ambedkar’s legacy, announcing that all hostels to be constructed for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in each district of the state will be named after “Baba Saheb Ambedkar.”
During the Budget discussion in the UP Vidhan Sabha, Adityanath criticized the opposition, accusing them of neglecting to honor Ambedkar and other Dalit and backward leaders despite their claims of upholding the Constitution. “Our government has launched several historic initiatives, such as building the Ambedkar International Centre and establishing Panch Teerth. We’ve also resolved that every hostel constructed for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in all districts will carry Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s name,” he stated. He noted that this year marks the ‘Amrit Mahotsav’ of India’s Constitution.
Adityanath targeted the Samajwadi Party (SP), saying, “Despite multiple terms in power, the SP never created institutions in Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s name; instead, they erased existing ones.” Highlighting achievements under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, he added, “In contrast to the opposition, we’ve developed ‘Panch Teerth’ to honor Baba Saheb and are constructing the Ambedkar International Memorial and Cultural Centre in Lucknow.” He mentioned that this center will provide scholarships for Dalit students.
Taking a further jab at the opposition, Adityanath remarked, “The SP relies on empty political slogans, while the BJP government takes tangible steps to honor great figures.” He cited the construction of a hostel named after Savitribai Phule at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University in Lucknow for Dalit students, adding, “The Samajwadi government stripped Ambedkar’s name from the Kannauj Medical College, but we restored it.”
On the development of historical sites, he said, “In Prayagraj, we built a grand corridor at Nishadraj Shringverpur, which Prime Minister Modi inaugurated. The Samajwadi Party tried to encroach on this historic site, but we’ve preserved and enhanced it as part of our heritage.” He accused the SP of obstructing Maharaja Suheldev’s victory memorial, noting, “The Samajwadi government attempted to stop it, but we’ve completed grand memorials in Bahraich and Shravasti.”
Adityanath also highlighted efforts at Sant Ravidas’ birthplace in Varanasi: “They sought to block development there, but we’ve installed a magnificent statue and corridor in his honor.” He continued to criticize the opposition for impeding progress at key historical sites. “The Samajwadi Party stalled development at Maharishi Valmiki’s meditation site in Lalpur, which we’ve transformed into a model tourist destination,” he said. Likewise, he accused them of hindering work at Rajapur, Goswami Tulsidas’ birthplace, adding, “Our government has carried out significant development there.”
The chief minister praised the BJP’s commitment to honoring historical figures and advancing Uttar Pradesh, crediting Prime Minister Modi’s decision to designate November 26 as Constitution Day as a tribute to Ambedkar.
Announcing new welfare measures, Yogi said, “To mark Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar’s 300th birth anniversary, we’re planning to build seven hostels exclusively for women.” He added, “For Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 150th birth anniversary, the Uttar Pradesh government will establish 100-acre employment zones in every district.”
Regarding tribal heritage, he stated, “We’ve already constructed a tribal museum in Imlia Kodar and Balrampur to commemorate Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s 150th birth anniversary, with similar projects underway in Mirzapur and Sonbhadra.” He also revealed plans for a digital library in every municipal body to honor former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birth centenary, saying, “This will be a knowledge hub dedicated to Atal ji’s legacy.”
Condemning the previous SP government, Adityanath accused them of neglecting the poor. “They didn’t even permit houses to be built for the underprivileged,” he claimed, adding, “Under BJP governance, we’ve built over 56 lakh houses, compared to almost none during their rule.” He further alleged, “The Samajwadi Party was bothered by toilets and houses for the poor because they cared only about one family’s political interests.”
The chief minister described the Budget as a testament to Uttar Pradesh’s rich heritage and commitment to social justice, pledging that the BJP government would continue honoring great leaders and elevating the state’s development
