On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, Raj Thackeray shared a message on X, extending his tribute. In his post, he highlighted not only Babasaheb’s social contributions but also his deep economic understanding, while criticising present-day politics.
“Today is the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. On this occasion, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena offers its humble salutations in his memory. As the architect of the Indian Constitution, Babasaheb's contribution to this country is unparalleled, and the coming generations of this nation will forever remain indebted to him for it,” he said.
Thackeray also referred to Ambedkar’s economic expertise, citing his book *The Problem of the Rupee: Its Origin and Its Solution*. He said Babasaheb had explained how British policies led to the devaluation of the Indian rupee and its impact on common people, adding that his recommendations laid the foundation for the establishment of the Reserve Bank of India.
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He further said leaders of the freedom struggle envisioned not just independence, but also inclusive growth that would benefit the poorest sections of society. “Babasaheb was not only a social reformer but also a visionary economist,” he wrote.
In a sharp critique of current politics, Thackeray said true tribute to leaders like Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Swatantryaveer Savarkar would be to follow their ideas rather than reduce them to symbols.
He criticised the trend of building statues, dividing leaders along caste lines, and holding loud celebrations on birth and death anniversaries. “Otherwise, these great leaders will be remembered only for ceremonial garlanding, while their thoughts continue to be ignored,” he said.
"Merely erecting statues of great leaders like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Swatantryaveer Savarkar, and countless others like them—dividing them by caste and creed, sowing discord in the name of religion and caste, and marking their birth and death anniversaries with blaring DJ music and mere processions—it's only when the state and its politicians rise above such trivialities that we can truly pay tribute to these great souls! Otherwise, these magnificent figures are reduced to nothing more than garlands on their anniversaries, and their legacy, their ideals, will continue to be trampled underfoot by the petty power-hungry politicians of today!"
Thackeray also questioned the current model of development, stating that projects like flyovers and roads do not benefit all sections of society. He added that a large section of people still needs the kind of inclusive vision that Babasaheb stood for. He concluded by once again paying tribute to Dr Ambedkar’s legacy.