actively participate in running the government of the separate state. He was interacting with the students at the physics department of Nagpur University. His interaction marked the leaders' effort to spread the statehood movement among youths.
"Without participation of youngsters, the movement will not succeed. Their involvement is must in the agitation. We are calling upon them to support us in our Jail Bharo agitation on February 22. We would also like them to become part of the new government by actively participating in the process," Ambedkar told TOI on the sidelines of his interaction. He will be carrying out similar interaction in other places like Gondia and Wardha.
The interaction with former MP was organised by the University Teachers' Association (UTA) and Inter-Disciplinary Policy Research and Action (IPRA) on the theme 'Smaller states: Problems and prospects'. Head of department SS Bhoga presided over the programme. While answering a barrage of questions from the teenagers who grilled the leader on different aspects of Vidarbha movement, he said the students should not just blame the politicians and corruption in the country. "If they feel, they should come forward and contest the elections. The corrupt politicians are also people from amongst us and we are the ones who elect them. Therefore, we can't just hold them responsible for all the mess," he said.
Deliberating further on the subject, Ambedkar said the GeNext was better aware of the development around them compared to his own generation. "You've awareness regarding environment, you are well studied and are committed to the cause. Then why can't you run the government," he asked. He impressed upon the students that their duties did not end just with voting, they were much more than that. "In all developed nations, voters are more important than the leaders. We know that voting is our right, but just doing so is not enough. We should actively participate in framing policies of the country and force our politicians to act accordingly," he said.
He cited an example of a Pune-based NGO named Prayas which created public opinion on government policies and forced the government to make changes as demanded by the people.
On the statehood issue, Ambedkar touched upon various aspects like feasibility and viability of Vidarbha and its resources. "Smaller states are important for country's overall growth. Water and power are two most important factors for viability of any state and Vidarbha has plenty of both. A place like Gadchiroli cannot be developed from Mantralaya in Mumbai that is more than 800 kms away. Our government spends Rs 89,000 crore on administration alone, so development of both Maharashtra and Vidarbha is impossible. In fact, it is injustice for both," he asserted.
Explaining the benefits of separate state, Ambedkar said Vidarbha will become power surplus state and there will be greater chances of removing the backlog. "Some European nations are smaller than even Melghat, but they are better developed. Smaller states have better chance of development," he said.
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