Kejriwal Announces Ambedkar Samman Scholarship for Dalit Students Ahead of Delhi Polls And Amid Ambedkar Controversy

Ahead of the upcoming Delhi elections and amidst the ongoing controversy over remarks made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal unveiled the Dr. Ambedkar Samman Scholarship on Saturday. The scholarship, introduced by the Delhi government, will cover the education expenses for Dalit students who secure admission to any top international university.

Accompanied by Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, AAP leaders Manish Sisodia, and Arvind Ojha, Kejriwal emphasised that the initiative is a tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the father of the Indian Constitution. The move comes as part of Kejriwal’s response to recent remarks made by BJP leader Amit Shah, which he deemed disrespectful towards Dr. Ambedkar.

Arvind Kejriwal announces scholarship

Kejriwal stated, “I want to ensure that no person from the Dalit community is deprived of higher education due to lack of funds. For this reason, I am announcing the Dr. Ambedkar Samman Scholarship.” He added, “This scholarship will cover the expenses of any Dalit student who wishes to study in top universities worldwide, once they are admitted. Additionally, it will also be available to government employees from the Dalit community.”

Ambedkar controversy in parliament

The scholarship is framed as Kejriwal’s response to Shah’s controversial comments in the Rajya Sabha during a discussion on the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution. Shah had criticized the Congress, accusing the party of making the invocation of Ambedkar’s name a “fashionable trend.”

By launching this scholarship, Kejriwal positioned the initiative as not only a means of supporting Dalit students but also a direct answer to the perceived disrespect shown toward Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy.