President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday led the nation in paying homage to the architect of the Indian Constitution Dr BR Ambedkar on his 128th birth anniversary.

Mr Kovind paid floral tributes at the statue of Dr Ambedkar at the Parliament House Lawns in New Delhi.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawarchand Gehlot were among the dignitaries who also paid tributes to Dr Ambedkar.

In his message, President Ram Nath Kovind said, Dr Ambedkar was an outstanding leader of the country’s freedom struggle and a staunch crusader for the rights of the downtrodden.

Rich tribute was paid to the Dalit icon in various parts of the country.