The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday passed an order directing all state departments and High Court benches in Lucknow and Allahabad to use Dr BR Ambedkar’s middle name “Ramji” in their documents and records, The Times of India reported. Ambedkar had used his full name while signing the Constitution.
The spelling of his name in Hindi will also be slightly altered so it is pronounced “Aambedkar”, the order stated. Jitendra Kumar, the principal secretary of the Uttar Pradesh general administration department, issued the directive, The New Indian Express reported.
Dr Lalji Prasad Nirmal, the director of the Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Mahasabha, said Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik had suggested the changes in December 2017. He had reportedly written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Adityanath and the Mahasabha on the matter.
“The main point is the way the name should be pronounced,” Nirmal said. “While its English spelling is correct, the spelling will have to change in Hindi, as will the pronunciation. Ramji was his father’s name. As per common practice in the Maharashtra, the father’s name is used as a middle name for sons.”
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