Chennai, Apr 14 (Reporter) Accusing the ruling DMK indirectly of being ingratitude to Dr Ambedkar, the architect of Indian Constitution, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi on Monday evening said discrimination against dalits still exists in the State which claims to champion social justice, and it was heartbreaking as he was remembered only during polls for vote bank politics and that it was time for soul searching. Speaking at an event commemorating the birth anniversary of Father of Indian Constitution and Baba Saheb Dr. B.R.Ambedkar at Raj Bhavan here, he took a veiled dig at the DMK regime and said he was remembered only during elections and invoked his name for vote bank politics and forget him after the polls. "To this day, Babasaheb is remembered only during elections, when leaders invoke his name for vote bank politics. But once elections are over, they forget him", he said. "This is nothing but ingratitude. And what hurts even more is the continued suffering of Dalits across the country", he said. "Discrimination still exists—no doubt about it. But the kind of stories we hear in Tamil Nadu, a state that claims to champion social justice, are heartbreaking", Mr Ravi said. "A Dalit beaten up for wearing slippers and walking on a village street. A young Dalit thrashed for riding a motorbike. A student praised by a teacher is attacked in his home. Human excreta found in water tanks", he recalled. Terming that these are not isolated incidents., Mr Ravi said during tragedies like the illicit liquor deaths in Kallakurichi, where 66 people died and hundreds suffered, the majority of victims were Dalits. "Crimes against Dalits are rising. In 2020, a 50% increase. Crimes against Dalit women are increasing. The conviction rate for such crimes in Tamil Nadu is less than half the national average. These are facts—not political statements", the Governor said. "How long must Dalits wait for justice? How long will the promises made by the Constitution remain unfulfilled? It is time for soul-searching", he added. "We must be honest and grateful to the man who gave us the Constitution and the vision that has helped this country progress", Mr Ravi noted. Observing that Babasaheb was not just a leader of the marginalized, but a visionary for the entire nation, Mr Ravi recalled that in his final speech to the Constituent Assembly on November 25, 1949, he warned us saying “We are independent. We have a Constitution. Soon we will become a Republic." "But my greatest fear is, will we be able to preserve this independence?” He reminded us that India was not always enslaved—but when it did fall, it was due to betrayal by our own people", he said, quoting Dr Ambedkar. "That same fear of betrayal is real today. If we keep such a large community backward and deprived, it is a betrayal of trust", the Governor said "Look at the educational status of our Dalit children in government schools —more than half of high school students can’t read a second-standard book. They can’t identify a two-digit number between 11 and 99. Yet they are given 100% pass results and admitted to colleges. But what will happen with just a degree, no skills, and no real education?", he said. "This is the age of the knowledge economy. Without skill and education, our youth have no future. Private schools flourish, producing the best students in the country, while government schools are among the worst—even worse than some of the historically under performing states", the Governor pointed out. "And who are the victims of this educational divide? Poor Dalit children. They are condemned to a life of poverty because they are not given quality education. When they graduate, they are not employable", he said. "This is a fearful scenario. Our young boys and girls—who should be national assets—are being denied their future", he said. On this day, as we remember and commemorate Babasaheb’s birth anniversary, those in positions of authority must take note. This is not a political issue—it is a human issue. A social issue. These children are our brothers and sisters. They deserve a life of dignity.The Constitution promises a life of dignity for every citizen. How can there be dignity when they are condemned to poverty and illiteracy? "We must wake up. We must take responsibility. This is the only true tribute we can pay to Babasaheb Ambedkar—to fulfill his dream of building a just, equal, and dignified Bharat", the Governor said. "Let us stop merely quoting Babasaheb. Let us start acting on his vision. Let us fulfill the aspirations of our young Dalit boys and girls. That alone will be the real way to say “Thank you” to Babasaheb”, he added...////...