10 June,2024 06:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Anandraj Ambedkar/ File Photo/ X
Anandraj Ambedkar, a Republican Sena leader and BR Ambedkar's grandson, burned a copy of the Manusmriti on Monday to protest the Maharashtra government's reported plans to include poems from the scripture in the school curriculum.
Ambedkar and his supporters gathered at the Kranti Stambh in Mahad, Raigad district, to raise slogans against the state education department. He opposed the government's attempt to introduce lines from the old text into the school curriculum, reported PTI.
According to the report, after the symbolic act of burning the Manusmriti, the demonstrators dispersed. A senior police official reported a strong police presence near the Kranti Stambh and Chavdar Tale areas to avert any untoward happenings.
Anandraj Ambedkar contests Lok Sabha Elections 2024
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Anandraj Y Ambedkar, the Republican Sena's President and the younger brother of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) President Prakash Y. Ambedkar, earlier this year contested Lok Sabha Elections 2024 from Amravati constituency. His participation turned the race for the seat a multi-cornered fight.
The former MP, actress-turned-politician Navneet Kaur-Rana, was nominated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), while former MLA Balwant B Wankhade is the Congress nominee from the Maha Vikas Aghadi who went on to win the seat.
According to the report, Anandraj Y Ambedkar's participation in the Amravati (SC) elections has raised concerns that he will garner support from the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM). When challenged about this, Ambedkar declined to respond, instead directing the matter to AIMIM leaders.
Republican Sena foundation
Anandraj Ambedkar launched the Republican Sena on November 21, 1998. This party is built on BR Ambedkar's ideology, known as Ambedkarism. The party, mostly located in Maharashtra, has also collaborated with the Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi, led by Prakash Yashwant Ambedkar.
In 2011, party members took the Indu Mill property in Dadar, Mumbai, to emphasise the long-standing demand for the Statue of Equality, also known as the Bharatratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar memorial.
