India Might Lose Ambedkar Memorial On King Henry’s Road, London
As per the report from The Telegraph, “the Indian government could be forced to close the London museum after planning row with Camden Council.” Museum in the talk is nothing else but the Ambedkar Museum/Memorial.
A museum in Primrose Hill dedicated to one of the “founding fathers” of modern India may have to close because of a dispute over its conversion from a residential home.
As per LSE, Dr B R Ambedkar first visited LSE in 1916, returned in 1921 and submitted his doctoral thesis in 1923.
Dr B R Ambedkar’s application to study at LSE, 1916. Credit: LSE Library
Letter from Professor Edward Seligman, Columbia University to Professor Herbert Foxwell, University of London, recommending Dr B R Ambedkar, 1920. Credit: LSE Library
Dr Ambedkar Memorial at London features a recreation of Dr Ambedkar’s bedroom, photo exhibition on life history, statue and a library with a collection of Dr Ambedkar’s writings and speeches.
Dr Ambedkar had lived at 10 King Henry’s Road NW3 3QU, London while studying at London School of Economics during 1921-22 on scholarship. A few years ago, neglected by Indian governments and after promising to buy, the house was put on sale as Indian governments didn’t take the issue seriously.
After long delays, in 2014, the Maharashtra state government had agreed to buy the house.
In 2015, the Indian High Commission on behalf of the Maharashtra government had completed the purchase. Later, it was turned into Museum cum memorial, a place which has since been used as a cultural centre to celebrate the life history of Dalit-Bahujan icons. It is an important place to keep Dr Ambedkar’s memory alive and inspire young Dalits to fulfil their dreams.
On November 14, 2015, in high profile and much-hyped visit, Prime Minister Modi had inaugurated the Ambedkar memorial in London while many Dalits in London protested against the Modi’s visit to Ambedkar House. Dalits had gathered outside the Ambedkar House at King Henry’s Road (Dr Ambedkar lived in the house, at 10 King Henry’s Road, while he was a student in the 1920s) with posters to protest against Modi’s planned visit.
Indian officials converted the place into memorial without taking permission from the local council. Now, Ambedkar memorial might lose that status.
“Camden Council denied the retrospective application to convert the house into a museum in October 2018 on the grounds it would be “detrimental” to the amount of residential floor space provided in the borough” reports The Telegraph.
It is such an irresponsible act from Indian officials handling the whole process. Why would you do something that would bring a bad name to India and the legacy of Dr Ambedkar? Why were permissions not taken in advance before converting Dr Ambedkar House into memorial? Were they thinking it is India and they can escape any misdoing?
It happens when things are done with the motive of getting votes only and there is no real interest in protecting and preserving the Dalit-Bahujan heritage. The whole focus of the BJP government has been on gaining a few more votes, things related to Dr Ambedkar have been left to decay or demolished silently.
It is a shame on Indian governments that all of them failed to preserve the belongings of Dr Ambedkar and other great Dalit leaders. Is it done intentionally? All this is happening according to plan so that Dalit-Bahujans don’t get inspiration from their own history and smash the upper caste hegemony.
Image credit: Internet
It is understandable that the public is alarmed after reading recent reports regarding a possible forced shutdown of AHL (Ambedkar House London),10 King Henry’s Road in London. Even Behan Mayawati ji is tweeting about it. Reports often get exaggerated. However, there is little or no danger of a complete Shut down.
The property is and has been, since purchase by government of Maharashtra, of residential status. The house has been used as a memorial and an application for official memorial/museum status was made but rejected by the council. An appeal to reconsider this decision has been made by the solicitors representing the Indian High commission. The hearing is on 24 sept.
In our (AHL Forum) view, whatever the outcome of the appeal, there is no reason why the house will be forced to closed down and we can, for the benefit of society and in particular in the interest of followers of Dr Ambedkar, continue with our activities without any disruptions to nearby residents. It’s just that it may or may not have the official memorial/museum status. We have always referred to it as “Ambedkar House” and NOT
“Ambedkar Memorial/museum”.
Admin
(AHL Forum)
AHL Forum is a consortium of like minded individuals dedicated to promote “Ambedkar Thought” with the following aims:
1. To promote legacy, memory & ideals of Dr BR Ambedkar by holding public events, conferences & seminars firstly at AHL, 10 King Henry’s Road, London, NW3 3RP elsewhere thereafter
2. To undertake such other activity to increase the strength of AHL Forum through encouraging like minded individuals and organisations
3. To carry out such other activity for the effective functioning of AHL FORUM to serve the larger public interest
Jaibhim jaibhim jaibhim