Arvind Kejriwal announces Dr Ambedkar scholarship for Dalit student's foreign education

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal has launched the Dr Ambedkar Samman Scholarship aimed at supporting Dalit students in Delhi who wish to pursue higher education at foreign universities. Under the scheme, the Delhi government will cover all expenses, including tuition, travel, and accommodation, for Dalit students admitted to top universities worldwide. The scholarship will also be available to Dalit government employees who seek higher education abroad, marking an expansion of the initiative to include public sector personnel.

Kejriwal announced the scholarship as part of his government’s effort to make higher education more accessible to students from marginalized communities. He stressed that the scholarship is specifically designed to address the financial barriers faced by Dalit students seeking opportunities at prestigious global institutions. The program intends to alleviate the burden of funding, allowing deserving students to pursue their academic goals without financial limitations.

The scholarship also draws inspiration from the life and struggles of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, who faced significant financial challenges in his pursuit of education abroad. Kejriwal highlighted that Ambedkar was forced to halt his studies at the London School of Economics due to a lack of financial resources. By launching this scholarship, Kejriwal reiterated the importance of education in transforming lives and assured that no Dalit student in Delhi would face a similar situation of abandoning their studies due to financial constraints.

The announcement of the scholarship comes amidst controversy over remarks made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding Dr Ambedkar. Shah, during a speech in the Rajya Sabha, had accused the opposition of using Ambedkar's name for political purposes and suggested that they would have achieved better spiritual outcomes had they focused on religious matters instead. The comments provoked strong reactions, particularly from Dalit communities and opposition parties, leading to protests and debates in Parliament. In response, Kejriwal stated that the scholarship is intended to serve as an answer to the disrespect shown to Ambedkar and his followers by Shah’s remarks.

The Dr Ambedkar Samman Scholarship is expected to significantly impact Dalit students in Delhi, providing them with an opportunity to attend top global universities without financial barriers. The scheme is also a part of the broader set of social welfare promises made by AAP, which includes providing financial assistance to women and free healthcare for senior citizens in the lead-up to the Delhi Assembly elections in 2025.