An Open Letter to Ambedkarite Organizations – Time to Act

An Open Letter to Ambedkarite Organizations – Time to Act

Dear fellow Ambedkarites,

The State of British Columbia of Canada declared the month of April as “Month of Dalit History” in recognition of Babasaheb Ambedkar, Jyotirao Phule, Babu Mangooram Mugowalia and Sant Ram Udasi. It was an appreciable gesture towards the lofty ideals of equality and
fraternity. It is just a matter of coincidence that for me too, in the month of April, remained fully dedicated to the greatest son of India, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, in my blogs. This is fourth in a row before the close of the month.

Ambedkar was celebrated throughout India and abroad also on his birth anniversary on April 14 and rightly so. Several cities and provinces in Canada and USA declared April 14 as “Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality”. The City of Coventry in the UK celebrated April 14 as “International Day of Equality”. Indian High Commission in London celebrated the birth anniversary of the greatest son of India in liaison with Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organisations (FABO) of UK. My immediate provocation to write again on Ambedkar came from the timely action of FABO in submitting a letter to Her Excellency High Commissioner of India, Ms. Gaitri Kumar urging her to convey and communicate their support to the proposal of April 14 as International Day of Equality resting with the Government of India in the Ministry of External
Affairs since June, 2015. It is gratifying to note that the esteemed paper The Asian Independent of UK carried a detailed story on the subject which may be read at: https://theasianindependent.co.uk/call-to-declare-ambedkar-birthday-as-an-international-day-of-equality/?fbclid=IwAR32OeaHiNkfg5ZiSA8b0MEFqFrp3MXH2ZECSLdxRg4qs8ShagaWuOTXIfc

One may see that things are moving fast. Many positive developments are taking place. We are approaching our goal, slowly but steadily. Government of India is yet to wake up from unintended or intentional slumber. We are to keep our guard and keep pursuing the proposal on International Day of Equality – Rang Laygi Hamari Fakamasti Ek Din. The mantra of struggle and success given by our leader: Educate – Organize – Agitate is our guiding spirit. The purpose of this open letter to the Amedkarite Organisations is to urge them to kindly consider and follow suit in line with the action taken by FABO of UK by writing to the respective Indian Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Consulate Generals abroad and to EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar and PM Narendra Modi in India and request them to make an appropriate demarche to the UN for declaring April 14 as International Day of Equality.

International Non-Violence Day in Minsk Belarus

With a view to explain the matter a bit further, let me reiterate here that our proposal on International Day of Equality has no political connotations. It is a simple and straight suggestive and persuasive proposal to get due recognition to the son of the soil, Babasaheb Ambedkar on one hand and contribute positively to the lofty ideals
of ‘Equitable World Order’ in line with the ‘Soft Diplomacy’ which is the hallmark of the foreign policy of India. India’s initiatives to get October 2, birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, as the International Day of Non-violence and June 21 as International Day of Yoga were much appreciated by the international community. We are confident that

Yoga by Ambassador Devyani Khobragade

the proposed International Day of Equality on the birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar will further enhance the international prestige of India in pursuance of its ‘Cultural and Humanistic Diplomacy’.  Let us hope that the Government of India under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi would rise to the occasion and take the matter to the world body, the UN at New York in the run up to the forthcoming UNGA in September, 2022.

It is time to act. Kindly consider and persuade the GOI to take an early decision in this regard and get another feather in its cap (Pagdi) in commensurate with the growing profile of India.

With regards,

Yours truly,

(Ramesh Chander)

Ambassador – IFS (Retired)

 

 

As I Please – Is it my obsession with Ambedkar?

 

As I Please – Is it my obsession with Ambedkar?

I must confess in the outset that I write quite regularly on issues related or pertaining to Babasaheb Ambedkar, not that I am a scholar or an authority on the great son of India but as a humble Amedkarite

– a person with democratic, secular, socialist, moralistic, rationalist with scientific temperament, spiritual and humanistic mindset based on the cardinal principles of – Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity and also human dignity, a Gyansheel man,  as I see and visualize a follower of Babasaheb Ambedkar should be. 

Let me answer the question myself. I don’t think it is my obsession but a sort of voluntary response and reaction to the developments and happening in and around where I live that s Bootan Mandi Jalandhar on one side and my mental and intellectual engagement with the proposal of April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar as International Day of Equality since June, 2015. This month alone as of today, April 18, 2022, I wrote two blogs which were kindly published in the Ambedkar Times of California, courtesy the indulgence of Chief Editor Prem Chumber, a staunch Ambedkarite himself – one on April: http://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2022/04/rang-layegi-hamari-fakamasti-ek-din.html   and second on April 10: http://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2022/04/babasaheb-ambedkar-international-day-of.html  This is third one on Ambedkar again in addition to a letter to CM of Punjab Bhagwant Singh Mann which is appended to this. It seems, I have nothing better to do in my retired life and I do it with a sense of gratitude to Babasaheb Ambedkar for the advantage of the country and the society at large.

Now to list what happened in and around Bootan Mandi with regard to Ambedkar Jayanti this year which kept me engaged:

Ø Joined Ambedkar Chetna March on April 13 at Guru Ravidass Dham

at Bootan Mandi. The Chetna March has, of late, become an annual event of the Ambedkar Chetna March Committee spearheaded by D. Surinder Kumar, an appreciable initiative which has caught the imagination of the people around and rightly so.

Ø Released and launched the book “Rashtra, Rashtrabaad aur Ambedkarbaad’ written by a renowned writer and Ambedkarite thinker, Dawarka Bharti at Sidharath Nagar  Budh Vihar at Bootan Mandi on April 14 along with ‘Sach Di Awaz’, a collection of poems of Mehr Chand Jassal of Glasgow and “Kaul De Kamal” of Tarsem Kaul of UK.

Ø Attended the State Level function to celebrate birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar at Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar College at

Bootan Mandi which was graced and addressed by CM of Punjab BhagwantMann and MLA Sheetal Angural along with other AAP MLAs of Jalandhar. CM Bhagwant Mann also offered flowers and garlanded the statue of Babasaheb at Ambedkar Park at Bootan Mandi to pay respects to the leader.

Ø Like each consecutive year, Ambedkar Bhawan Trust, Ambedkar Mission Society and Samta Sainik Dal celebrated Ambedkar Jayanti at Ambedkar Bhawan, the nerve centre of activities pertaining to Ambedkar under the patronage of Lahori Ram Balley.

Ø In the evening of April 14, there was a solemn function at Guru Ravidass Dham at Bootan Mandi where meritorious young students were felicitated amidst glowing tributes to Babasaheb.

Ø Ambedkar Community Centre and Guru Ravidass Mandir Trust of Bootan Mandi arranged a public show of music and songs to remember the icon just in front of the historic ‘Chubara of Seth Kishan Dass’ where Babasaheb came in October, 1951.

Ø Ambedkar Chetna March Committee hosted a public meeting to pay tributes to the leader in front of Ambedkar Bhawan with intellectual inputs by a learned professor of JNU and Principal of Ambedkar College Bootan Mandi.

Ø The Ambedkar Chowk, a prominent land mark of Jalandhar, as usual, became the high-spot of pilgrimage for the followers of Ambedkar where politicians and social activists of all hues came to garland the statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar in a Mela like scene.

 

From this one can easily make out that it is not my obsession with Ambedkar but a sort of humble call of duty to put these details in black and white for the benefit of younger generations to come. I would like to buttress this claim further, with a sense of gratification,
that the proposal on International Day of Equality is gaining wider support, if not in India, but in other developed countries of the world. I list here some of these details for the benefit of those who roam about in the corridors of power in Delhi with the often repeated assertion Ambedkar will prevail on his own. Anybody trying to side line this fact will do so at his or own peril.

·       Canadian City of Burnaby proclaimed April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar as “Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality’ in April, 2020 with the efforts of Chetna Association of Canada.

·       Canadian Province of British Columbia proclaimed April 14 as “Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality” in April, 2021.

·       Canadian Province of British Columbia proclaimed the month of April as “Dalit History Month” to honour dalit

icons; Babasaheb Ambedkar, Jyotirao Phule, Babu Mangooram Mugowalia and Sant Ram Udasi in April, 2022

·       The US State of Colorado declared April 14 as ‘Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality’ in April, 2022.

·       The US State of Michigan declared April 14 as ‘Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Equality Day’ in April, 2022.

·       The Canadian City of Surrey proclaimed April 14 as ‘Dr.B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality’ in April, 2022.

·       The City of Jersey in the State of New Jersey of the US declared April 14 as ‘Equality Day’ under the aegis of Immigrant Affairs Commission in April, 2022.

·       The UK City of Coventry declared and celebrated April 14 as ‘International Day of Equality’ on April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar in 2022 on the initiatives of Federation of Ambedkar and Buddhist Associations of UK.

 

With these details, I conclude before it gets long by saying “The More the Merrier”. We have arrived but yet to reach. Reach we must.

 

Jo Hai Pardon Mein Pinhan, Chashm-e-Beena Dekh Leti Hai
Zamane Ki Tabiyat Ka Taqaza Dekh Leti Hai

(The discerning eye sees everything covered in veils
It does see the exigencies of the nature of times)

Appendix:-

Text of my letter dated March 31 to CM of Punjab –

March 31, 2022

Hon’ble CM Bhagwant Mann ji,

In the early days of your government, I am fully aware of your pre-occupation with many important issues but still I am taking liberty, Sir, to write about yet another subject which I am confident will certainly get your kind perusal and consideration. I know you and CM Arvind Kejriwal hold Babasaheb Ambedkar, the subject matter of the humble submission,  in high esteem and rightly so.

Did you hear of the proposal on April 14, birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar, as International Day of Equality?  I made this proposal to then EAM Sushma Swaraj in

June, 2015 in the run up to celebrate 125th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The proposal is resting in the cup-boards of UNES Division of the MEA since then. My last blog on the subject written in July, 2021, the link of which is given below, will give you some idea of my efforts in this regard. All the relevant information is available in m blogs. I am available to provide any additional information in this regard, if required - http://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2021/07/it-is-time-to-remind-international-day.html - Why did I start this paragraph with a question mark? I did so because I had written to the AAP leadership about this in my Open Letters several times as a humble volunteer of AAP in 2016-17 and you being an alert and awakened leader might have heard of this.

The subject matter comes under the purview of the central government in Delhi. But the state governments can always play their role in supporting, backing and recommending the proposal to the central government why writing to the EAM and PM by their own right. My humble suggestions, Sir, in this regard are:

You may write, under the hand and seal of the CM of Punjab, to EAM and PM to support and recommend the proposal to declare April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar, as International Day of Equality under the aegis of the UN.

Punjab Legislative Assembly may pass a ‘Resolution’ in this regard and support and recommend the proposal and sent it to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and Mahamahim Rashtrapati ji.

You would agree, Sir, this gesture on behalf of the Government of Punjab under your leadership would not only tend to get a due recognition to one of the greatest sons of India but also address the emotional chord of the followers of Ambedkar and the society at large. It will also be a befitting tribute to Babasaheb on his birth anniversary on April 14, 2022.

I am confident that my humble submissions would find favorable consideration at your hands. I am taking the liberty of endorsing a copy of this letter to Hon’ble CM of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal Sahib.

With assurances of my highest consideration.        

Yours truly,

                        (Ramesh Chander)

Shri Bhagwant Mann,

Chief Minister of Punjab

Chandigarh

 

Copy to: Hon’ble CM of Delhi, Shri Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi

 

POSTSCRIPT:-  With the efforts of Ambedkar Association of North America and following cue from others listed above, State of
Maryland of the USA has declared and proclaimed April 14 as ‘Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality’ – The More the Merrier.

 

 

    

 

Babasaheb Ambedkar – International Day of Equality

 

Babasaheb Ambedkar – International Day of Equality

I have been writing on the subject of International Day of Equality since June, 2015 in the run up to celebrate 125^th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar decided and observed by the Government of India under the stewardship of PM Narendra Modi. It was proposed to the then EAM Sushma Swaraj to make a demarche to the UN to declare April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar, as International Day of Equality. The proposal was duly acknowledged by the then

Joint Secretary (UNES) of the Ministry of External Affairs vide his letter dated August 6, 2015. The stakeholders including the Forum of Scheduled Caste MPs and MLAs took the matter to PM Narendra Modi in November, 2015 in a Memorandum. Accordingly, for the first time, the birthday of the greatest son of India, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was celebrated at the UN in New York on April 14, 2016. The leader of the Indian delegation to the celebrations at New York, the then Speaker of Punjab Assembly, Sardar Charanjit Singh Atwal duly and rightly broached up the proposal of International Day of Equality in his address which was much appreciated and applauded by the international audience at the

function and the dignitaries sitting at the High Table representing the UN and the Indian PMI to UN. On return Speaker Atwal wrote and submitted his report of the function to PM Narendra Modi on May 3 ,2016 and urged him to make a demarche to UN to get April 14 as International Day of Equality. Since then we have been writing and reminding the EAMs, other important Ministers, MPs, politicians and others concerned of the proposal under intimation to PM and PMO. I, as an initiator of the proposal, have been personally taking up the proposal with the concerned authorities and stake holders both in India and abroad with a view not only to get much deserved honour and recognition to the Indian iconic figure but also to promote and strengthen India’s “soft power diplomacy’ in line with our successful initiatives on International Day of Non-violence and International Day of Yoga. As the birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar is approaching in a few days time on April 14, I thought of making a short report on the subject with a sense of somewhat mixed feelings of both satisfaction and also a bit of regret.

Since June, 2015 when the proposal to declare April 14 as International Day Equality was made, enough water has flown in the Jamuna in Delhi and the Hudson in New York. The preceding narration has shown that how have we been following the proposal with the Government of India but without much response. Not that the Governments have not done anything with regard to Babasaheb and his legacy, political parties in India are falling on each other to own and claim Ambedkar, it is a well known fact. A Chennai based journalist, Pramit Bhattacharya has written recently in the Hindustan Times in an article ‘Ambedkar, Nehru and Atmanirbhar Bharat, “The birth anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar, due next week, has always been an important day in the calendar of dalit youth in India. Now, it has become an important day in the country’s political calendar. Like the ‘forgotten hero’ Subhas Chandra Bose, Ambedkar seems to have found new adherents with politicians of different hues vying for his legacy”. This is the visible ground reality. Some years ago in connection with the 125^th anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar, RSS, the Gangotri of Hindu Thought and Culture and a vocal proponent of ‘Samrasta’ in the society, publish books and articles on the Ambedkar Thought in its official mouth-piece ‘The Panchjanya’ and subsequently got it printed in several other vernacular languages with a view to spread the thought and vision of Babasaheb. Government of India under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi took many positive decisions to recognize the greatest son of India viz. i) declaring the house at Alipur Road in Delhi where Ambedkar lived and died on December 6, 1956 as a national monument and memorial – Dr. Ambedkar National Memorial, established Dr. Ambedkar International Centre at Janpath, in Delhi, purchased a house in London where Ambedkar lived as a student and declared it

a memorial, Ambedkar House, to honour the icon among other appreciable steps to provide a due and rightful space to Babasaheb. I think the political fraternity in India fully knows that Ambedkar himself is a potent force to carry the mission and vision of the leader and it will be just futile to ignore him and those who dare to side track the ground reality would do so at their own peril. It is not surprising and is rather a matter of satisfaction that PM Narndra Modi, speaking to party cadres and law makers of the BJP, declared the fortnight to celebrate Ambedkar in April, 2022 as “Samajik Nyay Pakhwada’- a Fortnight of Social Justice. These gestures of the Government of India and the organizations like RSS and others are appreciable and praiseworthy. Ambedkar deserved this full well. But I regret to add that it is not understandable as to why the Government is sitting tight on the proposal of International Day of Equality? The Government’s positive decision in this regard will have a much needed supportive and affirmative impact on the dalit psyche in India on one hand and enhancement and strengthening of India’s ‘Soft Power’ in diplomacy on the other and also carrying forward the UN goals of just world order based on equality.  It is expected of India, the largest democracy of the world and a dignified member of the comity of nations, to demonstrate its will to e the flag bearer of Equality. I leave it here. I am confident that the Government of PM Naendra Modi would revisit the issue and take a just and pleasant decision from which India would stand to gain immensely.

As I said the legacy of Babasaheb is a potent force own its own and would be difficult to keep t under the carpet any more. The world,

democratic, multi-cultural societies all over, is listening and watching it with interest. I intend to list here only a few examples and instances to make my point home. Ever since the proposal on April 14, birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as International Day of Equality under the aegis of the UN, was made in June, 2015, the stake holder and followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar living abroad chipped in and interacted with their local counterparts in this regard, I must say with a sense of satisfaction, that they could succeed in convincing the local authorities to honour the greatest son of India – City of Burnaby in Canada proclaimed in April, 2020 and declared  April14 as “Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality” – Province of British Columbia of Canada followed suit and in April, 2021 and reaffirmed it again in April, 2022. In addition, British Columbia declared this year the month of April as “Dalit History Month” to honour the dalit icons Babasaheb Ambedkar, Jyotirao Phule, Babu Mangooram Mugowalia and Sant Ram Udasi. The proposal to honour Babasaheb is catching up further. It is a matter of gratification to note that the State of Colorado of the USA has declared April 14 as ‘Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Equality Day’. We are in touch with the followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar in other countries like the UK, Australia, New Zealand and other leading countries in Europe in this regard and in turn they are urging and requesting their local interlocutors to honour the Indian icon and join hands in declaring April 14 as International Day of Equality. While I thank all, including the Government of India, for taking various steps to recognize and honour Babasaheb Ambedkar over the years, I take this opportunity to revisit the subject and very humbly urge the Government of PM Narendra Modi to kindly come forward and lead the band-wagon to own and honour the legacy of the greatest son of

the soil, Babasaheb Ambedkar. We may not be oblivious of the reality that Ambedkar is such a potent force that it would surface on its own. There is no point in delaying the process. Allma Iqbals poetic assertion aptly explains the glory of Ambedkar and I conclude this humble Tribute to Babasaheb Ambedkar with this:

Nahin Minnatkash-e-Taab-e-Shaneedan Dastan Meri
Khamoshi Guftugu Hai, Be-Zubani Hai Zuban Meri

My story is not indebted to the patience of being heard
My silence is my talk, my speechlessness is my speech

Uthaye Kuch Waraq Lale Ne, Kuch Nargis Ne, Kuch Gul Ne
Chaman Mein Har Taraf Bikhri Huwi Hai Dastan Meri

Some leaves were picked up by the tulip, some by the narcissus, some by the rose
My story is scattered around everywhere in the garden

Urha Li Qumriyon Ne, Tootiyon Ne, Andleebon Ne
Chaman Walon Ne Mil Kar Loot Li Tarz-e-Faghan Meri

The turtle‐doves, parrots, and nightingales pilfered away
The garden’s denizens jointly robbed away my plaintive way

 

 

 

 

Rang Layegi Hamari Fakamasti Ek Din – Dalit History Month in Canada

 

Rang Layegi Hamari Fakamasti Ek Din – Dalit History Month in Canada

The India Times of Canada has carried a story on ‘Dalit History Month’ which is observed in Canada and other countries by the dalit communities in the month of April every year. The story is going

viral not only in Canada and other countries but also in India. I thought of looking into the matter and share some more information on the subject for the larger interest of the concerned people and the stake holders.

This is for the first time the Province of British Colombia of Canada has officially proclaimed under the hand and seal of the Governor of British Columbia that "April is a significant month for Dalit communities and it includes the birth and death anniversaries of important Dalit leaders and social reformers in the movement against systemic discrimination based on castes, such as Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Jyotirao Phule, Mangu Ram Mugowalia, and Sant Ram Udasi” The India Times story has termed the British Columbia

gesture as “The British Columbia proclamation not only recognizes these individuals but also acknowledges "the strength and resiliency of the Dalit community in overcoming hardships and advocating for social justice and equality for all". It is a matter of great satisfaction that the followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar, the icon of the oppressed and suppressed not only in India but throughout the world, were active and awakened in carrying forward the mission and caravan of the visionary leader with a view to contribute positively to the establishment of a just world order on the basis of the cardinal principles and ideals of “Equality, Liberty, Justice and Fraternity’ so beautifully enshrined in the constitution of India. It also fully endorses to the very edifice of the aims and objectives of the UN and also the foreign policy of India based on the dictum of “Vasudaiva Katumbkam” – the whole world is one family for international peace and prosperity. The honoured dalit icons in the British Columbia proclamation on “Dalit History Month” are the flag bearers of India’s ‘Soft Power’ and as such “We the people of India’ must see these developments in this perspective. We stand for ‘Samrasta’ not only in India but throughout

the world.

The Administration of the Province of British Columbia deserves full admiration and appreciation for giving a lead to the international community in giving due recognition to the heroes who struggled throughout their lives to improve and transform the social order for the betterment of the society at large and spread the message of harmony and brotherhood. I recall that the City of Burnaby took the right decision a couple of years ago and declared April 14, birthday

of Babasaheb Ambedkar as ‘Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality’ and last year the Province of British Columbia followed suit in April 2021 and carry forward the tradition this year, 2022 too and pronounced the honour for the greatest son of India by declaring April 14 as ‘Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality’. Besides the Administration of the British Columbia – an abode of people with diverse background as stated in the official proclamation, “a culturally diverse province comprising many peoples and communities”, the Indian community led by Chetna Association of Canada and social activists like Radio Jackey Gurpreet Singh among others did a good work in taking into confidence the Administration of British Columbia in declaring the month of April as  ‘Dalit  History Month ‘in honour of the sons of India – Babasaheb Ambedkar, Jyotirao Phule, Babu Mangoo Ram Mugowalia and Sant Ram Udasi and also in supporting the proposal of April 14 as the International Day of Equality under the aegis of the UN. Though the main proposal is awaiting decision of the Government of India yet it is matter great satisfaction that Chetna Association of Canada, Social activists Gurpreet Singh and media organs like the Ambedkar Times and the Desh Doaba of California could prevail upon their local interlocutors to honour the greatest son of India, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and other worthy dignitaries.

While I congratulate and admire them, I urge the Government of India to kindly look into the matter and make a demarche to the UN to declare April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar as International Day of Equality in keeping with the diplomatic interaction and soft diplomacy. The sooner the better. We would remain and that is why I captioned this piece as “:Rang Layegi Hamari Fakamasti Ek Din’