Insert ‘Ramji’ in Ambedkar, orders Yogi

What is in a name? Maybe a lot, especially if the name is even remotely connected with Lord Ram. Perhaps in their quest for a new ‘Ram Bhakt’ – as Prakash Ambedkar puts it -- the Yogi Adityanath government has decided to introduce 'Ramji' as the middle name of the Father of the Constitution B R Ambedkar in all official correspondence and records.

The order immediately got embroiled in political controversy with the opposition Samajwadi Party crying itself hoarse, saying that the move smacked of politics ahead of the general elections.

The campaign to correct Ambedkar's name was initiated by none other than Governor Ram Naik – a veteran BJP leader -- in December 2017; he had cited Ambedkar’s signature on the preface of the Constitution to buttress his contention.

For the record, 'Ramji' was the name of Ambedkar’s father and, as is customary, the father's name is used as the middle name by the

Senior JD (U) leader Shyam Rajak has taken strong exception to the diktat on Ambedkar saying the exercise smacked of "mischief".

Rajak, who is the ruling party's deputy leader in the state Assembly, alleged that the circular issued by the UP government was an attempt to "impose the agenda of

Manuvad" and "divert the attention of the Dalits from the infringement of their rights.

Ambedkar’s two grandsons have also lashed out at the UP government and pointed out that the move was “nothing but vote bank politics by the BJP”. ‘‘My sense is close to elections, they might try to tell the voters that Ambedkar was also a ‘Ram bhakt’,” grandson Prakash said. He used to write Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar only in his signature and for all other purposes he used only initials, he added.

The controversy is expected to drag on but is unlikely to help BJP in extracting brownie points, said observers. The Dalits are well aware of the BJP machinations, especially its attempt to appropriate their icon.