Trump and Modi's elections 'unleashed violence against minorities', says Martin Luther King III

Speaks about shared ideals of Dr Ambedkar and Martin Luther King Jr


News Desk July 22, 2017
PHOTO: REUTERS

BENGALURU: Son of Martin Luther King Jr and a renowned human rights advocate, Martin Luther King III spoke at the inauguration of a three-day conference “Quest for equity Reclaiming social justice, revisiting Ambedkar” in Bengaluru. Approximately 300 scholars, activists and policymakers gathered at the international conference to discuss the ideas of the late social reformer, Dr B R Ambedkar.

King III compared Indian Prime Minster Narendra Modi to US President Donald Trump by saying that both had little concern regarding the poor and the law and order situation. The Indian government continues to deny claims of intolerance in the country.

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“Like Donald Trump’s campaign, the election of Narendra Modi has unleashed a ferocious animosity against minorities. We must find a way to bring together the best minds in the world to find solutions,” said the community activist.

King drew a parallel between his father, Martin Luther King Jr., and Dr B R Ambedkar, by emphasizing their shared ideals.

“It is unfortunate that Dr Ambedkar is not well known outside India,” he said.

Nobel laureate Kailash Sathyarthi said that merely remembering Dr Ambedkar was not enough, as the essence lies in embodying his attributes.

“We must live with Babasaheb inside each of us,” Sathyarthi said.

She pointed out that it was the continuing influence of Dr Ambedkar due to which the latest presidential elections in India involved a contest between two Dalits, Ramnath Kovind and Meira Kumar.

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Dr Ambedkar’s grandson, Prakas Ambedkar, said there was a need to revisit the legacy of Dr Ambedkar as social justice has faced neglect in India over the past three years.

“Dr Ambedkar had warned that every revolution will have a counter revolution, and we are seeing that counter revolution take shape,” Prakash Ambedkar said.

According to him, the concept of social justice needed to be revised as “the very idea implies a giver and receiver of social justice, thereby cementing two classes.”

 

This article originally appeared on The Hindustan Times.

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