The decision of the State Government to build a memorial of BR Ambedkar in AK Boarding Hall of Hassan city by shifting the children’s home of the Women and Child Development Department is not being liked by the office bearers of the Child Welfare Committee of the district. ,
Committee members have opposed the idea of relocating the boys’ home to the city centre, and want a memorial to be built among children of different backgrounds without disturbing their residence.
Ambedkar’s visit
Following a request by Sridhar Kaliweera, one of the founders of the Dalit Sangharsh Samiti, and others, the state government has announced to set up a memorial in the city. Former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa had earmarked Rs 1 crore for the purpose in his budget last year. Ambedkar had visited the AK Boarding Hall in 1953-54 during his visit to the State of Mysore. It was the first hostel for Scheduled Caste students, started by the then Mysore ruler Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. Over the years, the building has been converted for various purposes. Now it also includes CWC’s Boys Home and Office.
After the allocation of funds for the memorial, the Commissioner of Social Welfare Department held a meeting regarding its implementation. The department had in August last year directed Hassan’s deputy commissioner to initiate the process of shifting the boys’ home. It also said that the Women and Child Development Department was asked to shift the boys’ house and hand over the land to the Social Welfare Department.
CWC’s petition
Hassan district CWC committee chairperson Komal HT and members have written a letter to Women and Child Development Minister Halappa Achar against the move. “The structure, where the CWC functions, is located at a central location close to the hospital, colleges and schools. It is a suitable place for counseling of children and parents who approach CWC. The office and the boys’ house should remain at their present place,” the President said in his petition to the minister.
No member of the committee is against the Ambedkar memorial. But they want a memorial to be built on the vacant land adjacent to the children’s house so that the children do not suffer. A member of the committee said that out of the total one acre of 11 gunta land, the amount of land needed for the memorial can be used, but the boys should not be transferred.
At present 42 children below the age of 18 years have been provided shelter at home. These include orphans, abandoned by parents and forced to beg. They are studying in different government schools.
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