Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday paid homage to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in Parliament on the occasion of Mahaparinirvan Diwas, marking the 70th death anniversary of the architect of the Indian Constitution. He reiterated that safeguarding Ambedkar’s ideals and the Constitution remains a collective national responsibility.
Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Rahul Gandhi described Babasaheb Ambedkar as a towering national figure whose ideas continue to guide India’s democratic and social foundations.
“Ambedkar ji is an icon. He showed a path to the entire country and gave us the Constitution. So, we remember him and protect his ideas and the Constitution… The Constitution of every Indian is under threat. We protect it, the citizens protect it,” Rahul Gandhi told reporters.
Later, in a post on X, the Congress leader reaffirmed his commitment to defending constitutional values.
“Humble tributes to Babasaheb Ambedkar on his Mahaparinirvan Diwas. His timeless legacy of equality, justice and human dignity strengthens my resolve to defend the Constitution and inspires our collective struggle for a more inclusive, compassionate India,” he wrote.
The 70th Mahaparinirvan Diwas was commemorated by the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) on behalf of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment at Prerna Sthal, Parliament House campus, on December 6, 2025, near the statue of Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Over time, the event has been opened to the public, allowing people to pay their respects at the life-size statue of Babasaheb at the Parliament House lawns.
During the commemoration, the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation managed a stall to assist visitors with the storage of their belongings while they offered floral tributes. The ceremony also featured Buddhist chants performed by 25 monks.
The Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, established on March 24, 1992, aims to propagate the ideals of Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The autonomous organisation functions under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and is tasked with promoting Ambedkar’s vision and philosophy through national-level programmes and initiatives. (Agencies)
