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{{short description|Indian politician and social activist}}
{{short description|Indian politician and social activist}}
{{Multiple issues|
 
{{tone|date=April 2010}}
{{peacock|date=April 2010}}
}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Prakash Ambedkar
| name                = Prakash Ambedkar
| image              =
| image              = Prakash Yashwant Ambedkar.jpg
| caption            =  
| caption            =
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1954|05|10|df=y}}
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1954|05|10|df=y}}
| birth_place        = [[Bombay]], [[Bombay State]], [[India]]
| birth_place        = [[Bombay]], [[Bombay State]], [[India]]
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| alma_mater          = [[St. Stanislaus High School]]<br /> [[Siddharth College of Law, Mumbai]]
| alma_mater          = [[St. Stanislaus High School]]<br /> [[Siddharth College of Law, Mumbai]]
| office              = [[Member of parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]], [[Lok Sabha]]
| office              = [[Member of parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]], [[Lok Sabha]]
| term_start          = {{start date|1999|10|10|df=yes}}
| term_start          = {{start date|1998|03|10|df=yes}}
| term_end            = {{end date|2004|02|06|df=yes}}
| term_end            = {{end date|2004|05|17|df=yes}}
| successor          = [[Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre]]
| successor          = [[Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre]]
| constituency        = [[Akola (Lok Sabha constituency)|Akola]]
| constituency        = [[Akola (Lok Sabha constituency)|Akola]]
| office1            =
| predecessor       = [[Pandurang Pundalik Fundkar]]
| term_start1        = {{start date|1998|03|10|df=yes}}
| office1             = [[Member of parliament, Rajya Sabha|Member of Parliament]], [[Rajya Sabha]]
| term_end1          = {{end date|1999|04|26|df=yes}}
| constituency1       = [[Maharashtra]]
| constituency1      = [[Akola (Lok Sabha constituency)|Akola]]
| term_start1         = {{start date|1990|09|18|df=yes}}
| predecessor1       = [[Pandurang Pundalik Fundkar]]
| term_end1           = {{end date|1996|09|17|df=yes}}
| office2             = [[Member of parliament, Rajya Sabha|Member of Parliament]], [[Rajya Sabha]]
| party              = {{ubl|[[Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi]]<br />(since 2019)}}
| constituency2       = [[Maharashtra]]
| profession          = [[Advocate]], Politician,  Social worker
| term_start2         = {{start date|1990|09|18|df=yes}}
| term_end2           = {{end date|1996|09|17|df=yes}}
| party              = {{ubl|[[Republican Party of India]]<br />(before 1994, 1998 {{endash}} 1999)|[[Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh]]<br />(1994 {{endash}} 2019)|[[Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi]]<br />(since 2019)}}
| profession          = [[Advocate]], [[Politician]],  Social worker
| spouse              = {{Marriage|Anjali Ambedkar|1993}}
| spouse              = {{Marriage|Anjali Ambedkar|1993}}
| children            = Sujat Ambedkar (son)
| children            = Sujat Ambedkar (son)
| website            = {{Facebook | id = PrakashAmbedkar.Official | name= PrakashAmbedkar | link= no }}
| website            = {{Facebook | id = PrakashAmbedkar.Official | name= PrakashAmbedkar | link= no }}
| nationality        = [[India]]n
| nationality        = Indian
| relations           = {{ubl|[[B. R. Ambedkar]]<br />(grandfather)|[[Anandraj Ambedkar]]<br />(brother)|[[Bhimrao Yashwant Ambedkar]], Brother|[[Anand Teltumbde]]<br />(brother-in-law)|See also '''[[Ambedkar family]]'''}}
| relatives           = See [[Ambedkar family]]
| footnotes          =  
| footnotes          =  
| source              = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maharashtrapoliticalparties.in/prakash-ambedkar.html|title=Welcome to Maharashtra Political Parties.in|website=www.maharashtrapoliticalparties.in|access-date=18 March 2019}}</ref>
| source              = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maharashtrapoliticalparties.in/prakash-ambedkar.html|title=Welcome to Maharashtra Political Parties.in|website=www.maharashtrapoliticalparties.in|access-date=18 March 2019}}</ref>
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}}
}}


'''Prakash Yashwant Ambedkar''' ([[IAST]]: Prakāśa Yaśavanta Āmbēḍakar) (born 10 May 1954), popularly known as '''Balasaheb Ambedkar''', is an Indian politician, social activist, writer and lawyer. He is the president of [[political party]] called the [[Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi]]. He is a three-time [[Member of parliament (India)|Member of Parliament]] (MP). He is the grandson of [[B. R. Ambedkar]]. He was a member of the [[11th Lok Sabha|12th]] and [[13th Lok Sabha]] Akola constituency of [[India]]. He has served in both houses of the [[Indian Parliament]].
'''Prakash Yashwant Ambedkar''' (born 10 May 1954), popularly known as '''Balasaheb Ambedkar''', is an Indian politician, writer and lawyer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chitnis |first=Purva |date=2024-06-15 |title=After poll drubbing that saw Dalits 'shift to Congress', Prakash Ambedkar's VBA has tough road ahead |url=https://theprint.in/politics/after-poll-drubbing-that-saw-dalits-shift-to-congress-prakash-ambedkars-vba-has-tough-road-ahead/2132606/ |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref> He is the president of [[Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi|Vanchit Bahujan Agadi]] political party.<ref name="autogenerated1">[http://www.parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/lok13/biodata/13MH19.htm Biographical Sketch of Member of 13th Lok Sabha<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> He is a three-time [[Member of parliament (India)|Member of Parliament]].<ref>[http://bhimraoambedkar.com/2011/01/29/prakash-ambedkar-grandson-dr-babasaheb-ambedkar/ Prakash Ambedkar son of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar | Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> He was a member of the [[12th Lok Sabha|12th]] and [[13th Lok Sabha]] of [[India]]<ref name="autogenerated2">{{Cite web|url=http://164.100.47.132/lssnew/Members/former_Biography.aspx?mpsno=18|title=Lok Sabha<!-- Bot generated title -->|access-date=18 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303195959/http://164.100.47.132/LssNew/members/former_Biography.aspx?mpsno=18|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> representing the Lok Sabha constituency of [[Akola (Lok Sabha constituency)|Akola]], [[Maharashtra]].<ref name=autogenerated2 /> He has served in both houses of the [[Indian Parliament]].<ref name=autogenerated1 /><ref name=autogenerated2 />


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Prakash Ambedkar is the grandson of [[B. R. Ambedkar|Dr. B. R. Ambedkar]], and [[Ramabai Ambedkar|Ramabai]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Biswas |first1=Soutik |title=BR Ambedkar: The unknown details of how he piloted Indian constitution |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-65175711 |publisher=BBC |date=10 April 2023}}</ref> His father's name is [[Yashwant Ambedkar]] (Bhaiyasaheb), and his mother's name is Meera. The [[Ambedkar family]] are followers of [[Buddhism]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Vemulas-mom-brother-embrace-Buddhism-on-Ambedkar-Jayanti/articleshow/51832628.cms|title=Vemula's mom, brother embrace Buddhism on Ambedkar Jayanti |work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-10-10}}</ref> He has two younger brothers [[Bhimrao Yashwant Ambedkar]] and [[Anandraj Yashwant Ambedkar]] and a sister Ramabai who is married to [[Anand Teltumbde]]. Prakash Ambedkar is married to Anjali Maydeo and they have a son named Sujat.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://divyamarathi.bhaskar.com/news/home-minister-prof-4574062-NOR.html|title=होम मिनिस्टर प्रा. अंजली मायदेव : महिला आघाडीची जबाबदारी|work=divyamarathi|access-date=2018-10-10|language=mr}}</ref>


Prakash Ambedkar is the eldest grandson of [[B. R. Ambedkar]] and [[Ramabai Bhimrao Ambedkar|Ramabai Ambedkar]]. His father's name is [[Yashwant Ambedkar]] (Bhaiyasaheb) and mother's name is Meera. The [[Ambedkar family]] are followers of [[Navayana|Navayana Buddhism]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/city/mumbai/Vemulas-mom-brother-embrace-Buddhism-on-Ambedkar-Jayanti/articleshow/51832628.cms|title=Vemula's mom, brother embrace Buddhism on Ambedkar Jayanti - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-10-10}}</ref> He has two younger brothers Bhimrao and [[Anandraj Ambedkar|Anandraj]], and a sister Ramabai who is married to [[Anand Teltumbde]]. Prakash Ambedkar is married to Anjali Maydeo, with whom he has a son.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://divyamarathi.bhaskar.com/news/home-minister-prof-4574062-NOR.html|title=होम मिनिस्टर प्रा. अंजली मायदेव : महिला आघाडीची जबाबदारी|work=divyamarathi|access-date=2018-10-10|language=mr}}</ref>
==Activities==
 
[[File:CM KCR, Prakash Ambedkar infront of 125 feet Ambedkar Statue in Hyderabad.jpg|right|thumb|CM KCR, Prakash Ambedkar in front of 125 feet Ambedkar Statue in Hyderabad]]
== Early life and education ==
Prakash Ambedkar has organised mass rallies at the national level, including in response to the ''Riddles'' march case, [[Suicide of Rohith Vemula|Rohith Vemula suicide]] case, Ambedkar Bhavan demolition case, [[2016 Una flogging incident|Una flogging incident]] and [[2018 Bhima Koregaon violence]] case.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/hindi/india/maharashtra/who-is-prakash-ambedkar/362402|title=जानें महाराष्ट्र बंद का आह्वान करने वाले प्रकाश अंबेडकर कौन हैं?|date=2018-01-03|work=Zee News Hindi|access-date=2018-10-10|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.navodayatimes.in/news/khabre/rally-against-maharashtra-government-by-prakash-ambedkar/69335/|title=दोषियों पर अगर नहीं होगी कार्रवाई, तो हिंदुओं में भी पैदा होंगे हाफिज सईद : प्रकाश अंबेडकर|website=www.navodayatimes.in|language=hi|access-date=2018-10-10}}</ref>
 
Prakash Ambedkar was born on 10 May 1954 in [[Bombay]] (now [[Mumbai]]). In 1972 he completed his higher secondary education from [[St. Stanislaus High School]], Mumbai. In 1978, he received [[Bachelor of Arts]] (BA) from Siddhartha College of Arts, and in 1981 he got [[Bachelor of Laws]] (LLB) in [[Siddharth College of Law, Mumbai]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://todayexpress.in/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B3%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AC-%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B5/ |title=Archived copy |website=todayexpress.in |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329124607/http://todayexpress.in/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B3%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AC-%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B5/ |archive-date=29 March 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
==Political career==
 
On 4 July 1994, Prakash Ambedkar established the [[Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh]]. This party was a splintered group amongst other factions of the [[Republican Party of India]] which was constituted on directions of his grandfather after his death. The Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangha contested established political parties like [[Indian National Congress]], [[Shiv Sena]] and [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] in the Akola municipal elections, emerging victorious. The success was gained through the new social engineering brought by Prakash Ambedkar which later known as "Akola Pattern". The expansion of the party continued after 1995, that some of the non-Dalit parties and organisations have joined the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lokmat.com/editorial/lok-sabha-election-2019-vanchit-bahujan-aaghadi-new-political-power-maharashtra/ |title=Lok Sabha Election 2019: Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi: New Political Power In Maharashtra &#124; Lok Sabha Election 2019 : वंचित बहुजन आघाडी : नवी राजकीय शक्ती |publisher=Lokmat.Com |date=2019-03-30 |access-date=2019-05-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://abpmajha.abplive.in/election/bharip-bahujan-mahasangh-merge-in-vanchit-bahujan-alliance-says-prakash-ambedkar-643168 |title=भारिप बहुजन महासंघ वंचित आघाडीत विलीन करणार, प्रकाश आंबेडकरांची घोषणा |publisher=Abpmajha.abplive.in |date=2019-03-14 |access-date=2019-05-10}}</ref>
 
Ambedkar was a member of the [[Rajya Sabha]] during 1990 - 1996.<ref name="rajyasabha1">{{cite web|url=http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/pre_member/1952_2003/a.pdf |title=Microsoft Word - biograp_sketc_1a.htm |access-date=2011-03-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Alphabetical List Of Former Members Of Rajya Sabha Since 1952|url=http://164.100.47.5/Newmembers/alphabeticallist_all_terms.aspx|publisher=Rajya Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi|access-date=1 May 2019}}</ref> He was elected in the [[12th Lok Sabha]] elections from [[Akola (Lok Sabha constituency)|Akola Lok Sabha constituency]] in 1998 as a candidate of the [[Republican Party of India]]. Second time from the same constituency in 1999, he was elected as the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh's candidate for the [[13th Lok Sabha]] elections and he was a member of the [[Lok Sabha]] till 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/lok13/biodata/13MH19.htm |title=Biographical Sketch of Member of 13th Lok Sabha |website=parliamentofindia.nic.in |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923191121/http://parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/lok13/biodata/13MH19.htm |archive-date=2006-09-23}} </ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiavotes.com/pc/winningcandidates/30/13/380 |title=IndiaVotes PC: Winner Candidates of BBM for 1999 |publisher=Indiavotes.com |access-date=2019-05-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maharashtrapoliticalparties.in/prakash-ambedkar.html |title=Welcome to Maharashtra Political Parties.in |publisher=Maharashtrapoliticalparties.in |access-date=2019-05-10}}</ref><ref>https://www.parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/lok13/biodata/13MH19.htm</ref>
 
Ambedkar followed a policy, on the one hand, of regrouping the Dalits, and on the other of following a moderate line seeking alliance with those opposition parties which sympathised with the Dalit cause. It was with their support that he twice contested elections to the parliament from non-reserved constituencies. Though not successful in getting elected, he polled a sizeable number of votes on both the occasions.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|date=2015-06-05|title=Dilemmas of Dalit Movement in Maharashtra-Unity Moves and After|url=https://www.epw.in/journal/1990/12/roots-specials/dilemmas-dalit-movement-maharashtra-unity-moves-and-after.html|journal=Economic and Political Weekly|language=en|volume=25|issue=12|pages=7–8}}</ref>
 
The RPI organised a march from Nashik to Mumbai to press its demands, prominent among which was the transfer of [[Vatandar|vatan lands]] to their Dalit cultivators. (Both before and after the British Raj, certain lands were given to people for services rendered by them to the government or to the community or to both. These lands are also called "watan lands" in local legislation and in Maharashtra many of the watans were abolished between 1950 and 1960.){{citation needed|date=May 2019}} In response, the government appointed a committee with Prakash Ambedkar as a member.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Morkhandikar|first=R. S.|date=1990|title=Dilemmas of Dalit Movement in Maharashtra: Unity Moves and After|journal=Economic and Political Weekly|volume=25|issue=12|pages=586–590|issn=0012-9976|jstor=4396063}}</ref>


The RPI's greatest success was in 1988 when Ambedkar, in alliance with other Dalit organisations, took out a massive demonstration in Mumbai. The occasion was the controversy regarding a move to delete from the official publication of B. R. Ambedkar's writings a portion called ''Riddles of Hinduism''. The deletion move was supported by [[Shiv Sena]] which by this time was emerging as a Hindu political organisation. To bring all Dalit organisations together for this purpose, Prakash Ambedkar formed Ambedkar Vichar Samvardhak Samiti (AVSS).<ref name=":0"/> Under the leadership of Prakash Ambedkar, [[R. S. Gavai]] and others on 5 February 1988, Dalits put on a massive show of strength which brought more than four to five [[lakh]] followers of [[B. R. Ambedkar]] into the heart of Mumbai city from different parts of Maharashtra and also from [[Gujarat]] and other states. Within days of the Dalit demonstration in Mumbai, the 'Riddles' issue was resolved at a meeting on February 10 of representatives of the [[Shiv Sena]], the Maratha Mahasangh and the various groups of the [[Republican Party of India]] and the [[Dalit Panthers]] called by the state chief minister. It was agreed at the meeting that the relevant appendix would be retained intact in the fourth volume of Ambedkar's works; only a line would be added to clarify that the Maharashtra government did not agree or disagree with B. R. Ambedkar's comments on the Hindu gods.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Jadhav|first=M. H.|date=1988|title=Loyalty to Ambedkar Reaffirmed|journal=Economic and Political Weekly|volume=23|issue=8|pages=348–349|issn=0012-9976|jstor=4378133}}</ref>
Prakash Ambedkar is noted for having designed the political strategy known as the Akola Pattern of political organising to appeal to all excluded masses, including Dalits and Muslims.<ref name="The Conversation">{{cite news |last1=Kamble |first1=Swati |title=Despite political setbacks in India, Dalit voices grow stronger |url=https://theconversation.com/despite-political-setbacks-in-india-dalit-voices-grow-stronger-117055 |publisher=The Conversation |date=21 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Wankhede |first1=Harish S. |title=Prakash Ambedkar and the Future of Dalit Politics in Maharashtra |url=https://thewire.in/politics/prakash-ambedkar-future-dalit-politics-maharashtra |publisher=The Wire |date=1 Jan 2019}}</ref> The Akola Pattern is named after the [[Akola district]] of Maharashtra where Prakash Ambedkar's political party is based.<ref name="The Conversation"/>


Bahujan Mahasangh, a political formation working in close association with the Bharatiya Republican Party led by Prakash Ambedkar, was formed in February 1993. In the summer of that year, its candidate won Kinwat legislative assembly seat in Nanded district, defeating Congress and BJP contestants.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Gavaskar|first=Mahesh|date=1994|title=Bahujans as Vanguards: BSP and BMS in Maharashtra Politics|journal=Economic and Political Weekly|volume=29|issue=16/17|pages=895–896|issn=0012-9976|jstor=4401084}}</ref> The alliance between Bharatiya Republican Party and Bahujan Mahasangh visualised a joint front of Dalits and OBCs whose cultural identity was essentially non-Brahmin. Bahujan Mahasangh argued that in the Brahminical social order, both Dalits and OBCs find themselves equally oppressed culturally.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Palshikar|first=Suhas|title=Politics in Maharashtra: Arrival of the 'Bahujan' Idiom|date=1994|journal=The Indian Journal of Political Science|volume=55|issue=3|pages=271–284|issn=0019-5510|jstor=41855699}}</ref> Bahujan Mahasangh had defined the Bahujan category to include Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains and Muslims, as well as caste groups such as OBCs(Other backward classes) and Dalits, tribes, women, poor Marathas, and poor Brahmins, thus including all those who are subjugated through caste, class and gender exploitation.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Guru|first=Gopal|date=1993|title=Emergence of Bahujan Mahasangha in Maharashtra|journal=Economic and Political Weekly|volume=28|issue=46/47|pages=2500–2502|issn=0012-9976|jstor=4400407}}</ref>
In 2017, together with his son Sujat, Prakash Ambedkar relaunched [[Prabuddha Bharata|Prabuddh Bharat]] (Enlightened India), the newspaper his grandfather [[B. R. Ambedkar|Dr. B. R. Ambedkar]] founded in 1956.<ref name="The Wire">{{cite news |last1=Shantha |first1=Sukanya |title=Ambedkar's Newspaper 'Prabuddh Bharat' is Back in a New Avatar |url=https://thewire.in/caste/ambedkars-newspaper-prabuddh-bharat-is-back-in-a-new-avatar |publisher=The Wire |date=16 April 2018}}</ref> Prakash Ambedkar has also been working to archive editions of the original Prabuddh Bharat from the 1950s, after copies were lost in the controversial demolition of the Buddha Bhushan printing press in 2016.<ref name="The Wire"/>


In memory of [[Mahar]] soldiers who fought in the [[Battle of Koregaon]], their descendants ([[Marathi Buddhists|Buddhists]]) visit [[Koregaon Bhima]] on 1 January every year to honor them. On 1 January 2018, [[Marathi Buddhists|Buddhists]], as well as some [[Hindu]] dalit, OBC and [[Sikh]] people visited the 'Jay sthambh' (victory pillar) at [[Koregaon Bhima]] in [[Pune district]], [[Maharashtra]].Prakash Ambedkar accused [[Sambhaji Bhide]] and [[Milind Ekbote]] of seducing the invading Hindutva people and demanded the police investigation and strict action against the two. But the Maharashtra government and the state police did not take any action against the culprits. So on 3 January 2018, he called on the people of Maharashtra to call "Maharashtra [[Bandh]]". This call to shut down Maharashtra received a huge response from the people and the [[bandh]] was a success. The bandh was seen across Maharashtra including [[Mumbai]]. According to Ambedkar, more than 50% Maharashtrian people participated in the bandh. Earlier only [[Bal Thackeray]] of Shiv Sena had the power to shut down Mumbai. Subsequently, Prakash Ambedkar's political power increased. He came to the center of Ambedkarite and Bahujan community. The youth group in particular became his supporters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://khabar.ndtv.com/news/maharashtra/dalit-groups-bandh-in-maharashtra-called-off-1795363|title=प्रकाश अंबेडकर ने महाराष्ट्र बंद वापस लेने का किया ऐलान, लोकल ट्रेन की सेवाएं फिर से बहाल|website=NDTVIndia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://khabar.ndtv.com/news/maharashtra/live-update-mumabi-band-br-ambedkar-grandson-strike-in-maharashtratoday-pune-violence-1795091|title=मुंबई में दिखा दलित समुदाय के बंद का असर, कई बसें तोड़ीं, रेल सेवा की बाधित|website=NDTVIndia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/hindi/india-42540567|title=कोरेगांव हिंसा: दलित संगठनों का आज महाराष्ट्र बंद|first=मयूरेश|last=कोन्नुर|newspaper=BBC News हिंदी|date=3 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thewirehindi.com/30471/bhima-koregaon-violence-maharashtra-bandh/|title=महाराष्ट्र बंद: मुंबई में बसों पर हमला, नागपुर और पुणे में स्थिति तनावपूर्ण|website=thewirehindi.com|date=3 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hindi.indiatvnews.com/india/national-prakash-ambedkar-give-ultimatum-to-maharashtra-bjp-government-arrest-sambhaji-bhide-in-eight-days-574885|title=महाराष्ट्र: प्रकाश अंबेडकर ने दिया बीजेपी को अल्टीमेटम- भीमा-कोरेगांव हिंसा के मुख्य आरोपी संभाजी भिड़े को आठ दिन में करें गिरफ्तार|first=Avinash|last=Tripathi|date=27 March 2018|website=India TV Hindi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hindi.sakshi.com/news/2018/01/03/prakash-ambedkar-withdraws-maharashtra-bandh-call|title='महाराष्ट्र बंद' वापस लेने का ऐलान, जानें दिनभर का घटनाक्रम|website=Sakshipost Hindi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loksatta.com/mumbai-news/live-updates-bhima-koregaon-violence-mumbai-pune-prakash-ambedkar-dalit-outfits-on-road-railway-protest-1610478/|title=आंबेडकरी संघटनांचा महाराष्ट्र बंद मागे; प्रकाश आंबेडकरांची घोषणा|date=3 January 2018}}</ref>
Prakash Ambedkar has also worked to preserve his grandfather's legacy as architect of the Indian Constitution and has been quoted as saying "The country will survive only if the Constitution survives."<ref>{{cite news |title=India survives, if Constitution survives: Prakash Ambedkar |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/india-survives-constitution-survives-prakash-1927665 |publisher=Deccan Herald |date=30 March 2018}}</ref>


Prakash Ambedkar founded new political party the ''[[Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi]]'' on 20 March 2018 with its ideology primarily emphasizing [[Constitutionalism]], [[Ambedkarism]], [[Secularism]], [[Socialism]] and [[Progressivism]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/politics/asaduddin-owaisi-prakash-ambedkar-vba-aimim-maharashtra-elections-2019|title=Asaduddin Owaisi's Dalit outreach and the relevance of Prakash Ambedkar's Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi|last=Farooquee|first=Neyaz|website=The Caravan|language=en|access-date=2019-04-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lokmat.com/maharashtra/depatriate-bahujan-leaders-turn-maharashtra-change/|title=वंचित बहुजन आघाडीने महाराष्ट्रात बदलाचे वारे!|last=author/lokmat-news-network|date=2018-09-29|website=Lokmat|access-date=2019-04-19}}</ref> The Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi registered as a political party a year later on 15 March 2019, prior to the [[2019 Indian general election|2019 elections]] for [[Lok Sabha]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eci.gov.in/files/category/150-list-of-political-parties-year-2018-19/|title=List of Political Parties Year 2018-19|website=Election Commission of India|language=en-IN|access-date=2019-04-19}}</ref> It is supported by nearly 100 small political parties and social organizations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thewire.in/politics/election-2019-maharashtra-voting-live-update|title=Elections 2019 {{!}} The Big Players in Maharashtra|website=The Wire|access-date=2019-04-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jagran.com/elections/lok-sabha-prakash-ambedkar-front-to-contest-all-48-lok-sabha-seats-in-maharashtra-19037696.html|title=Lok Sabha Elections 2019: महाराष्ट्र में कांग्रेस को झटका, प्रकाश आंबेडकर ने गठबंधन से पल्ला झाड़ा|website=Dainik Jagran|language=hi|access-date=2019-04-19}}</ref> Prakash Ambedkar is the supremo of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/maharashtra/mumbai-bjp-shivsena-will-get-advantage-in-loksabha-election-2019-after-prakash-ambedkar-break-alliance-hope-with-congress-dlpg-1753129.html|title=प्रकाश आंबेडकर के अकेले चुनाव लड़ने से बीजेपी-शिवसेना को होगा फायदा– News18 हिंदी|date=2019-03-12|website=News18 India|access-date=2019-04-19}}</ref>
Prakash Ambedkar attracted controversy and criticism after he threatened the [[Times Now]] anchor Anand Narsimhan to physically harm the anchor by saying that he would think what he could do to him if the governance gets changed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hum Tumhari ***** Maarenge!!! This is how grandson of Dr BR Ambedkar has openly threatened Times Now Senior Editor Anand Narasimhan on camera |url=https://www.nagpurtoday.in/hum-tumhari-maarenge-this-is-how-grandson-of-dr-br-ambedkar-has-openly-threatened-times-now-senior-editor-anand-narasimhan-on-camera/06080741|publisher=Nagpur Today|access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bhima-Koregaon arrests: Prakash Ambedkar threatens Times Now Senior Editor Anand Narasimhan - WATCH |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/bhima-koregaon-arrests-prakash-ambedkar-threatens-times-now-senior-editor-anand-narasimhan-watch/237061|publisher=Times Now|access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref>


On 14 March 2019, Ambedkar has announced the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh will merge with the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi. He said that, despite the 'Akola pattern' of social engineering through the success of the Bharipa-Bahujan Mahasangh, the word 'Bharipa' (RPI) had limited the expansion of the party. He said that after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Bharip-Bahujan Mahasangh will merge with the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, because the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi is acceptable in a broad sense.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loksatta.com/desh-videsh-news/after-lok-sabha-election-2019-bharip-bahujan-mahasangh-merge-in-vanchit-bahujan-aghadi-says-prakash-ambedkar-1857578/ |title=after lok sabha election 2019 bharip bahujan mahasangh merge in vanchit bahujan aghadi says prakash ambedkar &#124; भारिप बहुजन महासंघ निवडणुकीनंतर वंचित आघाडीत विलीन होणार: प्रकाश आंबेडकर |publisher=Loksatta |date=2019-03-14 |access-date=2019-05-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://abpmajha.abplive.in/election/bharip-bahujan-mahasangh-merge-in-vanchit-bahujan-alliance-says-prakash-ambedkar-643168/amp |title=भारिप बहुजन महासंघ वंचित आघाडीत विलीन करणार, प्रकाश आंबेडकरांची घोषणा |publisher=Abpmajha.abplive.in |date=2019-03-14 |access-date=2019-05-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.lokmat.com/akola/bharip-bahujan-mahasangh-will-merge-vanchit-bahujan-alliance-big-decision-prakash-ambedkar/ |title=Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh Will Merge With The Vanchit Bahujan Alliance, A Big Decision Of Prakash Ambedkar &#124; भारिप बहुजन महासंघ वंचित बहुजन आघाडीत विलीन करणार, प्रकाश आंबेडकरांचा मोठा निर्णय &#124; Lokmat.Com |publisher=M.lokmat.com |date=2019-03-14 |access-date=2019-05-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://divyamarathi.bhaskar.com/news/a-big-decision-of-prakash-ambedkar-bharip-bahujan-mahasangh-will-merge-with-vanchit-bahujan-alliance-6034113.html |title=a big decision of Prakash Ambedkar bharip bahujan mahasangh will merge with the vanchit Bahujan alliance &#124; प्रकाश आंबेडकरांचा Big Decision..भारिप बहुजन महासंघ वंचित बहुजन आघाडीत विलीन करणार |publisher=Divyamarathi.bhaskar.com |date= 14 March 2019|access-date=2019-05-10}}</ref>
In June 2023, Ambedkar defended the historical significance of [[Aurangzeb|Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's]] 50-year rule, urging people not to resort to abuse. Ambedkar made this statement while visiting the [[Tomb of Aurangzeb|Aurangzeb memorial]] in [[Khuldabad]], [[Aurangabad district, Maharashtra|Aurangabad District]]. His visit coincided with arrests and clashes in the state related to social media posts praising Aurangzeb. Ambedkar questioned the notion of erasing history and asked, "What's wrong with visiting the Aurangzeb memorial? He was a Mughal emperor who ruled here for 50 years."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-17 |title=Instead of abusing Aurangzeb, we should be aware of history: Prakash Ambedkar |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/instead-of-abusing-aurangzeb-we-should-be-aware-of-history-prakash-ambedkar-8669737/ |access-date=2023-10-29 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Banerjee |first=Shoumojit |date=2023-06-20 |title=Uddhav downplays ally Prakash Ambedkar’s tributes at Aurangzeb’s tomb |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/uddhav-downplays-ally-prakash-ambedkars-tributes-at-aurangzebs-tomb/article66990021.ece |access-date=2023-10-29 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
 
Ambedkar contested and lost from both [[Akola (Lok Sabha constituency)|Akola]] and [[Solapur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Solapur]] in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://results.eci.gov.in/pc/en/constituencywise/ConstituencywiseS136.htm?ac=6|title=General Election 2019 - Election Commission of India|website=results.eci.gov.in|access-date=2019-06-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://results.eci.gov.in/pc/en/constituencywise/ConstituencywiseS1342.htm?ac=42|title=General Election 2019 - Election Commission of India|website=results.eci.gov.in|access-date=2019-06-01}}</ref>
 
== Controversy ==
Prakash Ambedkar courted controversy by asking his supporters to resort to violence against trolls and those who criticised his statement asking for proof on surgical strikes conducted by [[Indian Air Force]]. Many critics called it militant Dalit politics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/bharip-chief-tells-his-men-to-thrash-all-who-troll-him/articleshow/68280773.cms|title=Bharip chief tells his men to thrash all who troll him &#124; Mumbai News - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-prakash-ambedkar-appeals-to-party-workers-to-trash-out-trolls-against-him/1474790.|title = Mumbai: Prakash Ambedkar appeals to party workers to trash out trolls against him}}</ref>
 
== Writings ==
 
*''Ambedkari Chalval Sampli Ahe'' (The Ambedkarite Movement Has Ended)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://maharashtradesha.com/prakash-ambedkar-comment-on-congress-nap/|title=वंचितवर पराभवाचे खापर फोडणारे आघाडीचे नेते आंबेडकरांच्या 'या' प्रश्नांची उत्तरं देतील का ?|date=31 October 2019}}</ref>
*''Andheri Nagari Chaupat Raja''
*''Maharashtracha Uddyacha Mukhyamantri Varkari ani Varkarich''
*''Can It Be Stopped!''<ref>{{Cite book|title=Can It Be Stopped!|last=Ambedkar|first=Prakash|date=2014|publisher=Bhashya Prakashan|isbn=9789383206261|edition=1st}}</ref>
*''[[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] Cha Vaicharik Bhrashtachar'' (Ideological Corruption of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh)<ref>{{Cite book|title=Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Ka Vaicharik Bhrashtachar|last=????????|first=??????|date=2013|publisher=Bhashya Prakashan|isbn=9789383206216|edition=1st|language=hi}}</ref>
*''Aetehasik Ambedkar Bhawanacha Varasa Aapan Japanar Ki Nahi ?'' (The Historic Heritage Of Ambedkar Bhavan Will We Preserve It?)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bookganga.com/eBooks/Books?AID=4875722349489549077|title=BookGanga - Creation {{!}} Publication {{!}} Distribution|website=www.bookganga.com|access-date=2018-10-10}}</ref>
 
==Positions held==
Ambedkar has held following positions,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/lok13/biodata/13MH19.htm |title=Biographical Sketch of Member of 13th Lok Sabha |publisher=Parliamentofindia.nic.in |access-date=2011-03-02}}</ref>
 
*1990-96: Nominated Member, [[Rajya Sabha]] from 18 September 1990 to 17 September 1996.<ref name="rajyasabha1"/>
*1992-96: Member, Committee on Rules
*1993-96: Member, Committee on Communications
* 1998-99: Elected to 12th [[Lok Sabha]], (1st term) Leader, [[Republican Party of India]] Parliamentary Party
* 1998-99: Member, Committee on Food, Civil Supplies and Public Distribution; Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Human Resource Development
* 1999–2004: Re-elected to 13th [[Lok Sabha]] (2nd term); Leader, [[Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh]] Parliamentary Party, [[Lok Sabha]]
* 1999-2000: Member, Committee on Energy
* 2000–2004: Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Railways
 
==See also==
* [[List of Rajya Sabha members from Maharashtra]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Prakash Ambedkar}}
* [http://parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/lok13/biodata/13MH19.htm Parliament Biography]
* [http://parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/lok13/biodata/13MH19.htm Parliament Biography]
* [http://www.indianexpress.com/news/meet-of-political-parties-dalit-leaders-to-mark-75-years-of-poona-pact/363297/ 75 Years of Poona Act]
* [http://www.indianexpress.com/news/meet-of-political-parties-dalit-leaders-to-mark-75-years-of-poona-pact/363297/ 75 Years of Poona Act]


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Latest revision as of 14:36, 14 January 2026


Prakash Ambedkar
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
10 March 1998 (1998-03-10) – 17 May 2004 (2004-05-17)
Preceded byPandurang Pundalik Fundkar
Succeeded bySanjay Shamrao Dhotre
ConstituencyAkola
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
In office
18 September 1990 (1990-09-18) – 17 September 1996 (1996-09-17)
ConstituencyMaharashtra
Personal details
Born (1954-05-10) 10 May 1954 (age 72)
Bombay, Bombay State, India
NationalityIndian
Political party
Spouse(s)
Anjali Ambedkar
(
m. 1993)
ChildrenSujat Ambedkar (son)
Parent(s)
RelativesSee Ambedkar family
Residence • 129, Rajgruha, Hindu colony, Dadar, Mumbai, Maharashtra
 • B-17, Patil Heritage Bhosale Nagar, Pune, Maharashtra
 • Akola, Maharashtra
EducationBachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Laws
Alma materSt. Stanislaus High School
Siddharth College of Law, Mumbai
ProfessionAdvocate, Politician, Social worker
WebsitePrakashAmbedkar on Facebook
Nickname(s)Balasaheb Ambedkar

Prakash Yashwant Ambedkar (born 10 May 1954), popularly known as Balasaheb Ambedkar, is an Indian politician, writer and lawyer.[2] He is the president of Vanchit Bahujan Agadi political party.[3] He is a three-time Member of Parliament.[4] He was a member of the 12th and 13th Lok Sabha of India[5] representing the Lok Sabha constituency of Akola, Maharashtra.[5] He has served in both houses of the Indian Parliament.[3][5]

Personal life[edit | edit source]

Prakash Ambedkar is the grandson of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, and Ramabai.[6] His father's name is Yashwant Ambedkar (Bhaiyasaheb), and his mother's name is Meera. The Ambedkar family are followers of Buddhism.[7] He has two younger brothers Bhimrao Yashwant Ambedkar and Anandraj Yashwant Ambedkar and a sister Ramabai who is married to Anand Teltumbde. Prakash Ambedkar is married to Anjali Maydeo and they have a son named Sujat.[8]

Activities[edit | edit source]

CM KCR, Prakash Ambedkar in front of 125 feet Ambedkar Statue in Hyderabad

Prakash Ambedkar has organised mass rallies at the national level, including in response to the Riddles march case, Rohith Vemula suicide case, Ambedkar Bhavan demolition case, Una flogging incident and 2018 Bhima Koregaon violence case.[9][10]

Prakash Ambedkar is noted for having designed the political strategy known as the Akola Pattern of political organising to appeal to all excluded masses, including Dalits and Muslims.[11][12] The Akola Pattern is named after the Akola district of Maharashtra where Prakash Ambedkar's political party is based.[11]

In 2017, together with his son Sujat, Prakash Ambedkar relaunched Prabuddh Bharat (Enlightened India), the newspaper his grandfather Dr. B. R. Ambedkar founded in 1956.[13] Prakash Ambedkar has also been working to archive editions of the original Prabuddh Bharat from the 1950s, after copies were lost in the controversial demolition of the Buddha Bhushan printing press in 2016.[13]

Prakash Ambedkar has also worked to preserve his grandfather's legacy as architect of the Indian Constitution and has been quoted as saying "The country will survive only if the Constitution survives."[14]

Prakash Ambedkar attracted controversy and criticism after he threatened the Times Now anchor Anand Narsimhan to physically harm the anchor by saying that he would think what he could do to him if the governance gets changed.[15][16]

In June 2023, Ambedkar defended the historical significance of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's 50-year rule, urging people not to resort to abuse. Ambedkar made this statement while visiting the Aurangzeb memorial in Khuldabad, Aurangabad District. His visit coincided with arrests and clashes in the state related to social media posts praising Aurangzeb. Ambedkar questioned the notion of erasing history and asked, "What's wrong with visiting the Aurangzeb memorial? He was a Mughal emperor who ruled here for 50 years."[17][18]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Welcome to Maharashtra Political Parties.in". www.maharashtrapoliticalparties.in. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  2. ↑ Chitnis, Purva (15 June 2024). "After poll drubbing that saw Dalits 'shift to Congress', Prakash Ambedkar's VBA has tough road ahead". ThePrint. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Biographical Sketch of Member of 13th Lok Sabha
  4. ↑ Prakash Ambedkar son of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar | Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Lok Sabha". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  6. ↑ Biswas, Soutik (10 April 2023). "BR Ambedkar: The unknown details of how he piloted Indian constitution". BBC.
  7. ↑ "Vemula's mom, brother embrace Buddhism on Ambedkar Jayanti". The Times of India. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  8. ↑ "होम मिनिस्टर प्रा. अंजली मायदेव : महिला आघाडीची जबाबदारी". divyamarathi (in मराठी). Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  9. ↑ "जानें महाराष्ट्र बंद का आह्वान करने वाले प्रकाश अंबेडकर कौन हैं?". Zee News Hindi. 3 January 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  10. ↑ "दोषियों पर अगर नहीं होगी कार्रवाई, तो हिंदुओं में भी पैदा होंगे हाफिज सईद : प्रकाश अंबेडकर". www.navodayatimes.in (in हिन्दी). Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Kamble, Swati (21 May 2019). "Despite political setbacks in India, Dalit voices grow stronger". The Conversation.
  12. ↑ Wankhede, Harish S. (1 January 2019). "Prakash Ambedkar and the Future of Dalit Politics in Maharashtra". The Wire.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Shantha, Sukanya (16 April 2018). "Ambedkar's Newspaper 'Prabuddh Bharat' is Back in a New Avatar". The Wire.
  14. ↑ "India survives, if Constitution survives: Prakash Ambedkar". Deccan Herald. 30 March 2018.
  15. ↑ "Hum Tumhari ***** Maarenge!!! This is how grandson of Dr BR Ambedkar has openly threatened Times Now Senior Editor Anand Narasimhan on camera". Nagpur Today. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  16. ↑ "Bhima-Koregaon arrests: Prakash Ambedkar threatens Times Now Senior Editor Anand Narasimhan - WATCH". Times Now. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  17. ↑ "Instead of abusing Aurangzeb, we should be aware of history: Prakash Ambedkar". The Indian Express. 17 June 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  18. ↑ Banerjee, Shoumojit (20 June 2023). "Uddhav downplays ally Prakash Ambedkar's tributes at Aurangzeb's tomb". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 29 October 2023.

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