UK allows Maharashtra to retain Ambedkar Museum

The Boris Johnson government has permitted the administration of Maharashtra to keep on utilising a property in north-west London as a gallery in memory of B R Ambedkar, who lived there while learning at the London School of Economics during the 1920s.

The house, 10 King Henry's Road in Camden, was purchased by the Maharashtra government in September 2015 for £3.1 million and introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2015. The Camden chamber later denied its utilisation as a historical centre.

Robert Jenrick, secretary of state for Housing, Communities and Local Government, stated: "I was satisfied to give arranging consent for an exhibition hall in London to Dr Ambedkar – one of the establishing fathers of present-day India and a significant figure to numerous British-Indians".

The choice came following an open request on September 24 and October 11 last, when legal advisors for the Maharashtra government contended for proceeding to utilise the property as a gallery to Ambedkar.

The historical centre incorporates a statue, photograph presentation portraying his life and his books. It is overseen by the Indian high commission for the benefit of the Maharashtra government, and routinely pulls in guests from India and somewhere else.

A blue plaque set by English Heritage outside the house makes reference to Ambedkar living there while learning at the LSE. He initially visited LSE in 1916, returned in 1921 and presented his doctoral proposal titled 'The Problem of the Rupee' in March 1923.