International Day of Equality – Honouring Babasaheb Ambedkar

 

International Day of Equality – Honouring Babasaheb Ambedkar

 An Open Letter to High Dignitaries of Ruling Elite of India

August 17, 2025

 Dear Sirs,

I have been writing about the April 14, birthday of Babasaheb B. R. Ambedkar as International Day of Equality for the last ten years since June, 2015. My last blog on the subject may be accessed at: https://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2025/06/in-pursuance-of-proposal-on.html

The proposal is resting with the GOI – MEA and PMO in spite of utmost efforts and repeated reminders both in India and abroad. But nothing has moved, unfortunately. Besides, GOI, it has been tried to engage with RSS and also the BJP at the highest level with regard to the matter both directly and also through the SC Ministers in the

government namely; Thavar Chand Gehlot, Varinder Kumar, Ram Vilas Paswan, Chirag Paswan, Ramdass Athawale among others. With regard to the proposal, we roped in Forum of SC and ST Parliamentarians through its President, Charanjit Singh Atwal and in turn they tried to sensitize and engage Mahamahim Ram Nath Kovind, President of India and Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi through Memorandums on the subject which was submitted to these high dignitaries. Outside the country, the stake holder, organizations of followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar namely; Chetna Association of Canada, Federation of Ambedkar and Buddhist Organizations (FABO) of UK, Ambedkar Times Group of Publications of USA among others supported the proposal and approached the GOI both directly and through the Indian diplomatic missions in these countries on one hand and on the other persuaded and motivated the local authorities in their respective places to honour the Indian icon, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. I write this with a mixed feeling of remorse and gratification – Remorse because my own government that is GOI is blissfully silent on the proposal in spite of the fact all the leaders fall on each other to own Ambedkar and his legacy when it comes to encash on the Vote Bank said to be belonging to the him in one way or the other – Gratification because of the ground reality that in the foreign lands, thanks to the followers of Ambedkar living abroad, the local administrations at the city and provincial levels in several

places In Canada, USA, UK, New Zealand, Australia among others, have proclaimed April 14 as ‘Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Day of Equality’. Is it not a matter of hypocrisy and shame for us in India? Yes, it is. We have been keeping the issue apolitical deliberately because International Day of Equality is not a partisan matter. Moreover, we are not oblivious of the fact that only the party in power in this case, BJP and its leadership, can take this proposal to the UN through diplomatic channels. We are open to listen from the ruling dispensation as to whether the proposal does not fit into the policy framework of India’s Soft and Cultural Diplomacy? Does the proposal not fit into the UN’s aims and objectives to establish ‘Equitable World Order? Whether Babasaheb Ambedkar’s personality and work do not deserve such recognition? It is not understandable why the GOI is sitting tight for the last ten years? Why the SC and ST Ministers are so helpless that they do not come forward to support the proposal to honour one of the greatest sons of India. My gut feelings tell me that people are getting restive and one day may burst to give vent to their pent up emotions in a democratic way as the true followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar. GOI and its leadership must see the writings on the wall. Ambedkar cannot be ignored for long. Anybody would ignore him at his own peril.

The time is of essence. Why I choose to write now, a month before the next UNGA to be held towards the second half of September, 2025. It has already been announced that PM Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the UNGA like he did many a times before also.

He may take advantage and raise the proposal on International Day of Equality in his address at the UNGA appropriately. It will be a befitting tribute to Babasaheb Ambedkar through the Soft and Cultural Diplomacy of India.

With this open letter detailing the facts of the matter, I take this opportunity to urge the GOI – PM Narendra Modi, EAM S. Jaishankar and others and also leaders of Socio-Political outfits namely; RSS Sarsanghchalak, Mohan Bhagwat, BJP President, J. P. Nadda, inter alia, to kindly consider, support and decide to declare April 14 as International Day of Equality under the aegis of the UN.

Ek Tarze Tugafil Hai; So Weh Unko Mubarak,

Ek Arje Tammana Hai, Who Hum Karte Range.

With regards and assurances of highest consideration,

Yours truly,

(Ramesh Chander)

Ambassador – IFS (Retired)

Telephone - 9988510940

 

To –

Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi, South Block, New Delhi

 

Copy to - EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar, BJP President J.P. Nadda, RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, Minister Dr. Varindra Kumar, Minister Chirag Paswan, Principal Secretary to PM, Director of EAMO, PR of India to UN, PMI New York