‘Ambedkar’s Contribution Belongs to Every Indian, Not One Community’: Mavalli Shankar

Maharani Cluster University seminar highlights Constitution, education and the need to understand Ambedkar beyond caste and reservation

“ಜಾತಿ ಮತ್ತು ಮೀಸಲಾತಿಯಾಚೆ ಅಂಬೇಡ್ಕರ್ ಅವರನ್ನು ಅರಿಯಿರಿ”: ಅವರ ವೈಚಾರಿಕ ಪರಂಪರೆ ತಿಳಿಯಲು ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಮಾವಳ್ಳಿ ಶಂಕರ್ ಕರೆ

Bengaluru, 17 Sept. 2026: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s intellectual legacy and contribution to nation-building should be understood by every Indian rather than being confined to discussions on caste and reservation, Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (Ambedkar Vada) State Convenor Mavalli Shankar said at a national seminar organised by Maharani Cluster University.

Addressing the one-day seminar on Dr. Ambedkar, Shankar said public understanding of the constitutionalist and social reformer remained incomplete.

‘Read and Understand Ambedkar’

“Many people know Ambedkar only as a leader associated with Dalits, oppressed castes and reservation. But there are many dimensions to his life and thought that people must make an effort to understand,” Shankar said.

He said Ambedkar’s pursuit of higher education, professional experience and scholarship offered valuable lessons to students. “Foreign scholars have studied his knowledge and contributions extensively. Indian students, too, must read books about Ambedkar and understand his work,” he added.

Maharani Cluster University Vice-Chancellor Dr. S.B. Ashoka highlighted the Constitution’s role in safeguarding India’s democratic framework.

“India remains strong because of its Constitution, one of the world’s largest written constitutions. It is a distinctive framework capable of addressing the diverse requirements of this nation,” he said.

Speakers also recalled the contributions of other members of the Constitution’s Drafting Committee, including N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar, Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar, K.M. Munshi, Syed Mohammad Saadulla, N. Madhava Rao and T.T. Krishnamachari, while underlining Ambedkar’s central role as chairman.

Students Urged to Aim Higher

Samata Sainik Dal National President Dr. M. Venkataswamy urged students not to stop their education after graduation.

“Develop the determination to pursue higher studies. If possible, aspire to study abroad and expand your horizons,” he said.

The programme also witnessed the release of Dr. Satyamurthy Googi’s book, Vidyarthi Tereda Satya.

Senior writer Dr. M.S. Ashadevi, Registrar Seema B. Naik, Evaluation Registrar Prof. Y. Ramesh, university officials, principals, faculty, non-teaching staff and students attended the seminar.