01-06-2005, 11:08 AM
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald...05/i10.asp
MAYA CHALISA MAY FOLLOW
The deification of Mayawati
FROM PUJAA AWASTTHI
DH NEWS SERVICE LUCKNOW:
Some two-dozen artisans are furiously working at a huge monolith at Lal Bahadur
Shastri Marg in Lucknow. Visitors are not permitted on the premises and the men
standing guard entertain no questions.
Towering above the faceless neighbouring structures, this stone construction,
reminiscent of the Egyptian pyramids, is soon to be inaugurated Bahujan Prerna
Sthal that stands next to the BSP office.
And no, itâs not a pyramid, <b>but a modern day Dalit temple that will house
statues of Bhim Rao Ambedkar, former BSP chief Kanshi Ram and hold your breath, BSP President and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati.</b>
Mayawati is learnt to have ordered the completion of the temple by April 14, the
birth anniversary of Ambedkar. And with the inauguration of the temple, <b>she will
become probably the first ever politician to unveil her own statue.</b> The
construction of her seven-foot brass statue believed to be the handiwork of a
renowned Delhi sculptor has <b>also inspired attempts to create a Maya Chalisa
thereby completing the deification of the leader </b>who recently made public her
intention to return to helm of UP politics and become CM as per the wishes of
the Stateâs people. <!--emo&:lol:--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='laugh.gif' /><!--endemo-->
A senior BSP leader looks upon the temple as an âimportant symbol of Dalit
assertionâ. This assertion will ensure that Mayawati towers above lesser leaders
and be symbolic of her hold over the community.
It is also, as voices from the Opposition have been suggesting, Mayawatiâs bid
to ensure demi-god status during her lifetime leaving nothing to chance and
weaker successors who might not be able to put her on a pedestal.
Mayawati is learnt to be taking personal interest in the construction and
monitoring the construction over phone from Delhi or elsewhere. Within party
circles, she has attributed the installation of her statue to Kanshi Ramâs wish.
BSPâs national spokesperson Sudhir Goel is cagey about the costs involved.
<b>Question him on the criticism surrounding the edifice and he is quick to point
out the âmanuvadi mentalityâ that is always critical of anything positive that
the Dalit samaj does.</b>
MAYA CHALISA MAY FOLLOW
The deification of Mayawati
FROM PUJAA AWASTTHI
DH NEWS SERVICE LUCKNOW:
Some two-dozen artisans are furiously working at a huge monolith at Lal Bahadur
Shastri Marg in Lucknow. Visitors are not permitted on the premises and the men
standing guard entertain no questions.
Towering above the faceless neighbouring structures, this stone construction,
reminiscent of the Egyptian pyramids, is soon to be inaugurated Bahujan Prerna
Sthal that stands next to the BSP office.
And no, itâs not a pyramid, <b>but a modern day Dalit temple that will house
statues of Bhim Rao Ambedkar, former BSP chief Kanshi Ram and hold your breath, BSP President and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati.</b>
Mayawati is learnt to have ordered the completion of the temple by April 14, the
birth anniversary of Ambedkar. And with the inauguration of the temple, <b>she will
become probably the first ever politician to unveil her own statue.</b> The
construction of her seven-foot brass statue believed to be the handiwork of a
renowned Delhi sculptor has <b>also inspired attempts to create a Maya Chalisa
thereby completing the deification of the leader </b>who recently made public her
intention to return to helm of UP politics and become CM as per the wishes of
the Stateâs people. <!--emo&:lol:--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='laugh.gif' /><!--endemo-->
A senior BSP leader looks upon the temple as an âimportant symbol of Dalit
assertionâ. This assertion will ensure that Mayawati towers above lesser leaders
and be symbolic of her hold over the community.
It is also, as voices from the Opposition have been suggesting, Mayawatiâs bid
to ensure demi-god status during her lifetime leaving nothing to chance and
weaker successors who might not be able to put her on a pedestal.
Mayawati is learnt to be taking personal interest in the construction and
monitoring the construction over phone from Delhi or elsewhere. Within party
circles, she has attributed the installation of her statue to Kanshi Ramâs wish.
BSPâs national spokesperson Sudhir Goel is cagey about the costs involved.
<b>Question him on the criticism surrounding the edifice and he is quick to point
out the âmanuvadi mentalityâ that is always critical of anything positive that
the Dalit samaj does.</b>