Don't ban Shourie's book: Dalit meet

Arun Shourie's controversial book on Dr B R Ambedkar, Worshipping of False Gods should not be banned.

This was resolved at a Maharashtra-level meeting held in Aurangabad on Sunday. ''The contents of the book should be studied seriously,'' the meeting decided.

Organised by supporters of Prakash Ambedkar, Dr Ambedkar's grandson, the meeting was attended mostly by local college professors and a few Dalit litterateurs.

Briefing the media about another resolution, the Republican Party of India leader said, ''Whenever a statue is desecrated, prominent leaders should come forward and clean it. Cultural programmes should also be organised while making efforts to restore peace.''

Ambedkar said his party will oppose the ''observe Independence Day as a black day'' call given by another RPI leader Ramdas Athavale. The other RPI factions will be forced to follow the resolutions passed by the meeting, he added, urging dalits to participate in the celebrations.

UNI

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