Tension prevailed in Vijayapura during Ambedkar Jayanti celebrations on Sunday when some Dalit leaders tried to stop BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal from attending the function, saying those planning to change the Constitution have no right to attend celebrations related to Ambedkar who chaired the committee that drafted the Constitution.
Mr. Yatnal, however, said that he has the greatest respect for Dr. Ambedkar and the Constitution and that he is not in favour of changing the Constitution, though he was supporting the Union government’s efforts to amend it in order to improve its outcomes.
However, the leaders were not convinced and blocked his way. Finally, after intervention by some senior leaders, Mr. Yatnal was allowed to garland the statue of Dr. Ambedkar.
