Nagpur: Kamal Gavai, mother of Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud’s colleague, Justice Bhushan Gavai, has declined an invitation to be chief guest at an upcoming Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) centenary programme, citing controversy and personal attacks following the announcement.

In an open letter released on Wednesday, the 84-year-old said she had decided not to attend the October 5 function in Nagpur due to the backlash and “allegations and slander” directed at both her and her late husband, R S Gavai — a former Bihar Governor and staunch Ambedkarite.

“Some people invited me to the October 5 programme, and as I harbour good wishes for everyone, I welcome everyone,” Kamal Gavai wrote.

However, she said the news of her participation prompted criticism from various quarters:

“(But) As soon as the news of the programme was published, many people started criticising and levelling allegations at not only me but late Dadasaheb Gavai. We have lived our lives as per (Dr B R) Ambedkar's ideology, while Dadasaheb Gavai dedicated his life to the Ambedkarite movement.”

Acknowledging ideological differences between the RSS and the Ambedkarite movement, she defended the principle of engaging in dialogue across divides.

“Sharing our ideology on the platform of different ideology is also important, which needs courage,” she stated, adding that her husband had attended programmes of organisations with opposing views and used the platform to raise issues concerning marginalised communities.

“He attended RSS's programmes but never accepted its Hindutva,” she wrote. “If I had been on the dais (at the October 5 RSS function), I would have put forward the Ambedkarite ideology.”

Nonetheless, she said the public reaction had left her deeply saddened:

“As she and her late husband faced a volley of accusations, and attempts were made to malign her ‘because of one programme’, she felt very sad and decided to put an end to all this by deciding not to attend the Sangh function,” the letter concluded.

She also noted that she was currently unwell and undergoing medical treatment.