Muzaffarpur, May 27: The Bhim Rao Ambedkar Bihar University (Brabu) will soon put forward a proposal to establish an Ambedkar chair and Ambedkar study centre in the university to the state human resource development (HRD) department.

Brabu pro-vice-chancellor Padmasha Jha made the announcement during his keynote address at a national seminar on the relevance of Ambedkar’s teachings in the contemporary age, organised at the university today. The seminar was a part of the daylong belated birth anniversary celebrations of BR Ambedkar.

The university officials also released a journal in the memory of Ambedkar on the occasion. Recalling Ambedkar’s teachings, Jha said: “He was not only one of the makers of the Indian Constitution but also a prophet of the Dalit class. He established himself as a promoter of the weaker sections in India.”

He added: “This is the only reason for his relevance today, so many decades after he passed away. He will be remembered for the contributions to the weaker classes and his determination to raise his voice against injustice and exploitation of the poor Dalit people. Dr Ambedkar became an icon for social justice and is a legend,” said the pro-vice-chancellor.

While delivering the inaugural speech at the seminar, former chief minister Jagannath Mishra said the Scheduled and Backward Castes of India have been subjected to an unjust and unequal social system since ages.

“The leaders are striving to build India anew where social justice would be the desired object. Unfortunately, a majority of the Dalits continue to live in great poverty. Politicians seek to win the election on Dalit votes by encouraging the dominant dislikes and hatred,” said Mishra. He also called upon the students and the teachers to safeguard the interests of the Dalit people and wage a war against the exploit- ations and the tormentors who nurse ill will and discrimination in society.

Rajendra Mishra, vice-chancellor, Brabu, said: “I firmly believe that the teachings and contributions of Ambedkar to Indian politics literally showed path to the future generations. Ambedkar represented values in politics and symbolised the spirit to fight against injustice and discrimination.”

He added the national seminar-cum-anniversary celebration would go a long way in promoting the academic atmosphere in the university.

MLCs Mahachandra Prasad Singh and Ganesh Bharti, and the former vice-chancellor of BN Mandal University, Madhepura, Ripusudan Srivastava, also spoke at the seminar.