Misinformation being spread, not pulling down Ambedkar statue: AAP

The Aam Aadmi Party said the Delhi government was committed to the values of B R Ambedkar and alleged that misinformation was being spread that they were trying to pull down a statue of the Dalit icon.

Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam said for the past 30-35 years, there had been a statue of Ambedkar on a piece of land in Deoli and an organisation by the name of Dr Ambedkar University used that land to run classes. In 2003, he said, the organisation was given a separate land to run classes, but the ownership of it remained with the Delhi government.

"It has now been allocated for building a hospital and school, but unfortunately the V-C (vice-chancellor) of Ambedkar University is spreading misinformation that the Delhi government is trying to pull down the Ambedkar statue," Gautam said.

The minister said until the land dispute was decided, no steps would be taken on the proposal to build a school or a hospital there. He said access to the land would also be given to the institution running the existing university, adding that the information had been communicated to all.

"Despite this, the V-C of the university is continuing to make false statements on the matter and is planning to gherao the Delhi Secretariat tomorrow (Tuesday)," he said. "It's his fundamental right to do that, but it is important to call out the falsehoods and state on record the facts in this matter."