Mysuru: Theatre director, actor, and activist Prakash Belawadi on Sunday described nationalist leader BR Ambedkar as a "modern intellectual". He was speaking after inaugurating a one-day workshop on Ambedkar's revolutionary thoughts organised by Yuva Brigade in the city.
He said there were many references in history about the insults faced by Ambedkar. He was not allowed to contest to the Rajya Sabha by Congress leaders because of his caste, he claimed.
He mentioned that even today, people are afraid of speaking about caste. "The word ‘secularism' in the Indian Constitution was added by the 42nd amendment to the Constitution in 1976. Many people did not know about this. Even today, many debates over caste and secular issues are going on across the country," he said.
Speaking on the occasion, activist Chakravarthy Sulibele said the Indian Constitution was amended 76 times so far. "Ambedkar struggled a lot throughout his life to root out the practice of untouchability and casteism in the country," he said.