Constitution given to us by Ambedkar our shield: Akhilesh

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday paid floral tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar on his 135th birth anniversary, saying the Constitution is Babasaheb's gift to the country, and as long as it remains safe, people's rights will remain safe.

- HT Correspondent

LUCKNOW:

Yadav emphasised the importance of upholding the Constitution, calling it a "lifeline" for those who follow Babasaheb. "It is crucial today that the country continues to be governed by the Constitution. That's why we all pledge to strengthen it further. If the Constitution is weakened, democracy will also be weakened," he said.

"The Constitution given to us by Dr BR Ambedkar is our shield -- it protects our rights and safeguards reservations," he said after garlanding the BR Ambedkar statue at Hazratganj.

"We are standing near BR Ambedkar's statue today and Mahatma Gandhi's statue is nearby. Everyone knows how he was shot dead. BJP people are the ones who like violence. But we are the ones who follow the path shown by Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar and take forward this nation. We pledge that his dream for PDA people will be realised," said Yadav, adding that only the unity of PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) can save the Constitution.