Mangaluru: Ambedkar Jayanti was celebrated today at Town hall. District In-charge Minister Ramanath Rai, Health Minister U T Khader, Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim garlanded Dr Ambedkar’s statue.

Commissioner Chandra Sekhar, SP Dr Sharanappa, Zilla Panchayath CEO Shreevidhya, MCC Commissioner Dr H N Gopalakrishna and others took the opportunity to pay their respects.

Speaking on the occasion, District In-charge Minister Ramanath Rai said “We should work hard to eradicate caste discrimination. Dr B R Ambedkar did this job so many years ago. He worked for the empowerment of dalits and backward caste people. So we should help them morally.”

“We have the proposal of building an Ambedkar community hall. But lack of space in Mangaluru didn’t help the cause. We will start the construction work as soon as possible,” he said.

Health Minister U T Khader said that Indian constitution is like a bible for all Indians. Respecting the values of constitution is like respecting our country. Everyone has a right to do something good for the nation but nobody has the right to violate the norms of the constitution.

“Ambedkar is the one who argued to give the right of voting to all citizens. It’s due to elections we see equality among ourselves,” he added.
Free fishing kit was distributed to fishermen on the occasion.

On a media query about Siddaramaiah’s son’s hospital tender issue, U T Khader said that the CM’s son Dr Yathindra applied for the tender legally and he had quoted a lesser amount than others. So he got the tender to build a laboratory at the hospital.

“I won’t comment on the statements made by some of our party members. In fact, no one in our department knew that Dr Yathindra is CM Siddaramaiah’s son. If party members are unhappy with this matter then we still have a chance to correct it. No need of making an issue,” he said.

He further said that the hospital administrating authorities thought that they need a new lab which will be in service 24×7, so they called for a tender.