Gaddar Memorial Lecture
(Prakesh Yashwant is addressing the Gaddar Memorial Lecture on 6th August at Ravindra Bharati, Hyderabad)
Throughout his career, Prakash Ambedkar has spearheaded national and statewide rallies in response to key social and political crises like the Riddles March Case, where he organized protest movements related to the controversy surrounding Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s writings (Riddles in Hinduism). The other social activism include: Rohith Vemula Incident: Mobilized nationwide protests following the suicide of institutional caste-discrimination victim Rohith Vemula, 2016 Una Flogging Incident: Led widespread protests after seven Dalit men were assaulted by cow vigilantes in Una, Gujarat, demanding strict police accountability, Ambedkar Bhavan Demolition (2016): Led agitation against the controversial demolition of the historic Buddha Bhushan printing press and Ambedkar Bhavan in Dadar, Mumbai and 2018 Bhima Koregaon Protests: Called for a statewide Maharashtra Bandh (strike) following attacks on visitors commemorating the bicentenary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon.
Prakash Yashwant Ambedkar (popularly known as Balasaheb Ambedkar) is a prominent politician, advocate, and social activist. As the grandson of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, and Ramabai Ambedkar, Prakash Ambedkar has spent decades at the forefront of Dalit rights, anti-caste advocacy, and constitutional defense in India.
Born into the prominent Ambedkar family on May 10, 1954, Prakash Ambedkar is a practitioner of Navayana Buddhism. His parents are Yashwant Ambedkar (nicknamed “Bhaiyasaheb”) and Meera Ambedkar. Younger brothers B. Y. Ambedkar and A. Y. Ambedkar, and a sister, Ramabai (who is married to political activist and scholar Anand Teltumbde). He is married to Anjali Maydeo (a former professor), and together they have a son, Sujat Ambedkar, who is actively involved in social and journalistic initiatives.
Prakash Ambedkar has served in both houses of the Indian Parliament, representing Maharashtra: Rajya Sabha 1990-96, nominated and elected from Maharashtra. Then he was elected from the Akola Constituency of the 12th Lok Sabha in 1998, on the ticket of the Republican Party of India. He was elected again to the 13th Lok Sabha, in from Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM). In 2018, Prakash Ambedkar founded the Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi (VBA), a political coalition aimed at uniting marginalized sections, including Dalits, Muslims, OBCs, and nomadic tribes. He continues to serve as the party’s national president.
Political Innovations
Prakash Ambedkar is widely credited with developing the Akola Pattern, a grassroots social-engineering political strategy designed to extend electoral power beyond traditional caste dynamics. Named after the Akola district of Maharashtra where his core base was built, the strategy focuses on forming broad, inclusive political alliances between Dalits, Muslims, Smaller OBCs, and other disenfranchised (“Vanchit”) social groups. The goal is to secure political representation for communities historically excluded by mainstream political parties.
Preserving Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s Legacy
Beyond active politics, Prakash Ambedkar works to preserve his grandfather’s intellectual and constitutional legacy. He relaunched Prabuddh Bharat. In 2017, alongside his son Sujat, he revived Prabuddh Bharat (Enlightened India), the historic newspaper originally founded by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in 1956. Initiated efforts to retrieve and digitally archive lost editions of Prabuddh Bharat from the 1950s following the demolition of the Buddha Bhushan press. He pursued Constitutional Rights Advocacy, a vocal advocate for constitutional morality, frequently reiterating that “the country will survive only if the Constitution survives.” He regularly addresses rallies across India on equal rights, secularism, and universal adult suffrage.
Public Stances and Controversies
Known for his blunt and outspoken political style, Prakash Ambedkar has frequently stirred political debate. He took strong stances on Citizenship and Governance. He has strongly questioned electoral narratives surrounding citizenship laws, arguing against discriminatory administrative standards for proving birthright citizenship. He has drawn sharp media reactions for aggressive remarks made during public confrontations, including threat-laden comments directed at news anchors and political opponents during tense election campaigns.
Ambedkar has often maintained distance from both the ruling BJP-led alliance and the Congress-led opposition, advocating instead for an independent platform that challenges mainstream parties on issues of social justice and seat-sharing equity.
Law professor and eminent columnist
Madabhushi Sridhar Acharyulu, author of 63 books (in Telugu and English), Formerly Central Information Commissioner, Professor of NALSAR University, Bennett University (near Delhi), presently Professor and Advisor, Mahindra University, Hyderabad. Studied in Masoom Ali High School, AVV Junior College, CKM College, and Kakatiya University in Warangal. Madabhushi did LL.M., MCJ., and the highest law degree, LL.D. He won 4 Gold Medals at Kakatiya University and Osmania University.
Email: cicsridhar@gmail.com
Mobile: 8447651505
