Magaluru : Activists of Dalit Sangarsha Samithi staged a demonstration in front of B.R. Ambedkar’s statue on the premises of the Town Hall to protest against delay in building Ambedkar Bhavan in the city here on Monday April 14.

They first garlanded the statue on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti. Later, holding placards they shouted slogans against the government and those who were coming in the way of constructing the bhavan.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, State organising secretary of the faction M. Devdas said that though the government had reserved 1.61 acre for the bhavan in Derebail ward and kept aside Rs. 2 crore for it the bhavan had not been a reality.

Later they submitted a memorandum to district in-charge minister B. Ramanath Rai when he arrived to garland the statue. Mr. Rai told them that its process was on.

Mangaluru City Corporation observed Ambedkar Jayanthi in its office. J.R. Lobo, MLA, Mangaluru City South, Mayor Jacintha Vijay Alfred spoke.

The New Mangaluru Port Trust also marked the birth anniversary of Ambedkar. P.C. Parida, Chairman, NMPT in his presidential address, highlighted the contribution of Ambedkar for social and economic development by removing economic disparity with ultimate aim of country’s progress.