Jalandhar Parliamentary Bye-Election May, 2023

 

Jalandhar Parliamentary Bye-Election May, 2023

I wrote about the Jalandhar Parliamentary Constituency in my blog earlier which may be seen at: http://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2023/02/jalandhar-parliamentary-constituency.html

 I don’t know how much water has flown in the increasingly drying up, the Sutlej River? The candidates and the political parties are fully engaged in election campaign for the election to be held on May 10.

The results will be announced on May 13 for the seat in the parliament for less than a year. But the stakes are too high for all the political parties as the outcome of the May 10 contest would be taken as a ‘curtain raiser’ for the April/May, 2024 General Elections for the Lok Sabha.

I am a bonafide resident of Jalandhar and after my retirement from a long diplomatic career has come back to my roots. I, as apolitical observer, keep myself busy in socio-cultural, educational and political matters of concern and interest as my pastime. Since the election process is on; with high pitched electioneering by all the political parties and player, generally it should be advisable to watch and wait the popular verdict. But as a student to learn in the process, I thought of making my own assessment and share with the public with a view to strengthen the democratic process. I would tend to be fair but candid in my approach as a humble student of politics and an Ambedkarite. Kindly do bear with me.

About 19 candidates remained in the fray as on April 24, the last date of withdrawal of nominations. It is going to be a four cornered contest with major political formations – Karamjit Kaur of Congress Party supported by the CPI, Sushil Rinku of AAP, Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal of BJP and Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi of SAD and BSP

alliance. There are some fledgling outfits like SAD (Amritsar), Bahujan Dravid Party etc. and some independents as spoilers and comic interludes in this festival of democracy.  I happen to know personally three out of the major four aspirants except Sukhwinder Sukhi whom I have not personally met so far. There are 9 assembly segments in the parliamentary constituency representing more than 1.6 million (about 16 lakh) voters comprising of both rural and urban areas. Out of the nine assembly seats, Congress has five and AAP has four in their respective kitties. The demographic divide is overwhelmingly outweighed in favour of dalit communities with 38% (22% Ad-dharmi/Ravidassia and 16% Valmiki/Majhabi) and rightly so as reserved seat for SCs. The political stakes are too heavy – Congress Party is to hold the fort to save and fortify their traditional hold – AAP, the ruling elite in Punjab, is to save their face after the dismal show in Sangrur – SAD and BSP Alliance is to re-emerge and re-register themselves after their clear defeat in assembly elections in March/April, 2022 and BJP is to show their presence and intent to approach the big show in 2024 General Elections for the Lok Sabha without their traditional partners, the Akalis. All political outfits have shown due consideration to caste while selecting their nominees – Congress obviously, while encashing the ‘sympathy factor’ of the sudden demise of Chaudhary Santokh Singh resulting in the bye-election, has reiterated their preference for the elite dalit family of Master Gurbanta Singh, an Ad-dharmi ( I understand Karamjit Kaur is herself a Kabir Panthi - tbc), though AAP is not much inclined to prefer, it seems, an Ad-dharmi/Ravidassia over other denominations yet has gone for another Ravidassia, Sushil Rinku, BJP has ignored their known Ad-dharmi front runners like Vijay Sampla and Rajesh Bagha and has picked, Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal, a Majhabi Sikh, SAD-BJP alliance has picked their prominent Ad-dharmi face and their sitting MLA Sukhwinder Sukhi. Though these sectarian details are not important yet the ground reality in elections is still caste-based thinking and conduct of the society at large. Coming to the relative strengths and weaknesses of respective candidates, let us analysis the scene a bit further. Karamjit Kaur of Congress was not active as a politician even after her retirement from her coveted academic career. Congress preferred to bet on her for ‘sympathy vote’ for the sudden demise and too in harness in the Bharat Jodo Yatra of Rahul Gandhi and the political legacy of Master Gurbanta Singh family. Obviously, these are important factors to weigh in her favour. Five sitting Congress MLAs in the constituency, of course, is a plus point for the Congress candidate.  Karamjit Kaur herself is an educated and cultured person but the flip side of the case equally cannot be ignored – the family is divided with Surinder Singh’s behaviour in point, Sushil Rinku who was a Congress face hitherto deserted the party and joined AAP, there is hardly any  prominent dalit face in the Congress campaign expect  Former CM Charanjit Singh Channi who, it seems, has already lost steam, MLA Vikram Sngh, son of Karamjit Kaur though a young and educated man, it seems, yet he lacks the much needed traits of good PR which is very important for public life in democracy. As regards the AAP candidate, Sushil Rinku, his bête noire, MLA Sheetal Angural and

his family may not be able to come along whole heartedly to support Rinku. Sushil Rinku though is a known face in the urban areas of Jalandhar yet lacks recognition in the rural areas. His act of switching sides all of a sudden may not go down well with the masses. Though AAP has four sitting MLAs in the constituency yet it is not certain whether they would be able to rise above the caste considerations and accept an outsider who till yesterday was vehemently opposed to AAP and its leadership. AAP’s own volunteers are not very happy to accommodate a parachute

candidate. BJP, with a view to rope in a Sikh face, side-lined its own cadres like Rajesh Bagha or anyone from the clan of Vijay Sampla and Som Parkash and picked up a dark horse, Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal an old SAD faithful. Atwal is considered an outsider by the majority (22%) of Ad-dharmi/Ravidassia voters. He may also not enjoy whole-hearted support of SC leadership of BJP in Punjab. The fourth contestant is Sukhwinder Sukhi, a sitting SAD MLA from Banga, representing SAD and BSP combine. Though Sukhi is considered a capable and clean politician from the Kanshi Ram flock yet would have the tag of an outsider. The hard-core BSP carders’ dislike the likes of Sukhi and Pawan Tinu as they feel that they ditched Kanshi Ram and Mayawati and also the BSP and went for the greener pastures. The hard-core SAD caders ‘may vote for a Sikh face, Inder Atwal, who till yesterday was with them.

All said and done, it will be a tough fight. As of today, April 25, if one goes by the media including the social media and visibility of campaign, Karamjit Kaur of Congress appears to have an edge.  I wrote in my blog earlier about the selection of candidates. Congress Party did not have much choice and perhaps Karamjit Kaur fitted the bill to hold the fort over ridding Sushil Rinku and Mohinder Singh Kaypee and even Charanjit Singh Channi. AAP leadership in Delhi, to my mind, had their own vested considerations in picking their candidate. CM Bhagwant Mann is made to go for a big ‘test’ to save his position.  It should have gone for an experienced and mature businessman or an intellectual or a professional including some retired bureaucrat to bring in fresh air to placate the SC intelligentsia. For BJP, I had suggested roping in fresh talent without baggage of the past from intellectual and bureaucratic circles but it decided to give preference to its ‘backroom’ boys in other political outfits. SAD and BSP combine was in real dilemma to pick up their nominee – they were to make up their mind as to whether SAD or BSP would

contest, BSP was reluctant to support the SAD faces like Pawan Tinu, Baldev Khaira or even Sukhwinder Sukhi considering their erstwhile affiliation with BSP. It would have been better for SAD-BSP alliance to zero on a fresh face from socio-political background. Let us see whether the alliance partners are able to transfer their vote kitty to Sukhwinder Sukhi who is a ‘gentleman’ politician otherwise. The results on May 13 would tell us the outcome of the ‘litmus test’ for all the major political formations. With the on-going campaign, some new trends and indicators are emerging – dalit leadership in all parties is fast dwindling which should be a matter of concern and worry to the dalit intelligentsia in state with the highest dalit population, new alliances are to emerge before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections – BJP and Akalis are likely to join hands again as Akalis and BSP could not put up a joint front, dalits of Punjab would be needed to think and break their head to ‘unite’ under one umbrella. It seems, BSP has lost its way and has gone with the wind.

Before I close this off the cuff analysis, let me touch the role of Deras; particularly the dalit Deras which are being visited and wooed by all the candidates and their respective parties, whether they have any meaningful role to play at all. My answer is ‘NO’. The dali

t deras don’t have any agenda and wherewithal to deal with political matters as the other big players like Dera Satsang Beas, Nirankaris, Sacha Sauda among others. The Dalit Deras, it seems, are contented with photos opportunities with VVIPs and siren fitted police escorts and gun wielding police guards. I fully agree with Des Raj Kali as reported in the Tribune, “Dalit writer,  Des Raj Kali has also been terming the dera factor purely an illusion and claims that no dera enjoys a sway with the people.” I take this opportunity to wish all the best to all my friends in the fray. As I said in the beginning that my take on the subject is ‘apolitical’ one, I might have said certain things which may not be fully digestible by some of the political players. I have no intension to ruffle the feathers of anyone but to say my mind as an alive and alert common citizen. 

The life goes on –

Pardon Mein Jo Pinha Hai; Chasme Bina Dekh Laiti Hai,

Zamane Ki Tabiat Ka Taqaza Dekh Laiti Hai

 

 

 

 

Parkash Singh Badal – My own Cherished Memories

 

Parkash Singh Badal – My own Cherished Memories

Parkash Singh Badal, a living legend, passed away on April 25 at the age of 95 (December, 1927 – April, 2023). With a chequered political career – Member Panchayat, MLA for ten terms, MP, Central Minister, 5 times CM of Punjab and one of the leading lights of the SAD, Parkash Singh Badal was a legendary public figure not only of Punjab but also of India and beyond. He was considered to be a

moderate face of the Sikh politics. The media is full of stories and glowing tributes to the departed leader and rightly so.

I thought of sharing my own cherished memories of meeting and interacting with the political colossus as my humble tribute the towering figure in the contemporary times.  I met him twice – one in 1977 in Delhi at the beginning of my long diplomatic career and second in 2014 in Chandigarh after my retirement. 

Parkash Singh Badal, a fairly young and suited-booted personality, was named as a Minister in the Morarji Desai Government in March,1977 after the defeat of PM Indira Gandhi in the aftermath of emergency. Badal Sahib came for the first meeting of the Cabinet in the Conference Room No.157 in the PMO after taking oath at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. It fell on me to receive him at the Gate of PMO and escort him to the meeting as an Assistant Protocol Officer attached to the PMO on deployment from the MEA. It was an honour and obviously I was not only delighted but excited too. Besides warm exchange of pleasantries, his easy demeanor was appealing and impressive.  Badal Sahib was full of humility, I could feel. It took about a couple of minutes to escort him through the red carpeted famous stairs of the PMO in a quiet dignity. Later in the evening when I reached home, I was further pleased to learn from my wife, Vidya and our neighbours that they saw me escorting the newly appointed Minister Parkash Singh Badal on the DD Television.  Subsequently, he was allotted Ministry of Agriculture and I saw him quite regularly as and when he came for the Cabinet meetings or meetings with the PM for a few months before he choose to come back to Punjab politics.

On retirement, I decided to come back to my roots in Jalandhar in 2012 with a view to do something worthwhile for ‘paying back to the society’ in whatever humble way I could do. In the process, I wrote a brief letter to CM Parkash Singh Badal sometime in 2014 introducing myself, I offered myself to serve the people of Punjab in whatever capacity the Government of Punjab might consider appropriate without knowing the intricacies of such dealings as a naïve and faceless diplomat. I was happy to get an acknowledgement of my letter from the Principal Secretary to CM, S.K. Sandhu, with the observations that my letter had been placed before the Hon’ble CM.  One day when I was traveling to Delhi by train, I received a phone call from the office of CM Parkash Singh Badal that CM will like to meet me the next day at 3 in the afternoon at his residence at Chandigarh. I told them that I was on my way to Delhi but immediately agreed to come back to Chandigarh as directed for the said meeting. Obviously, I was concerned that it was a good opportunity which might not come again in the near future. Next day, I boarded the morning train from Delhi to Chandigarh to catch up with the scheduled meeting. By the time, I reached Ambala, I got a call from the CM’s office that my meeting with the CM was cancelled as he had to go for the funeral of someone outside Chandigarh. I told them that I was already about to reach Chandigarh and I had no option but to stay in Chandigarh itself and requested that the cancelled meeting may be rescheduled for the next day. I must say that the concerned Aide of the CM was very courteous and accommodative. He said that they would try to do their best and inform me accordingly. Late in the evening, I telephoned PS to CM, S.K. Sandhu to seek his help in the matter. He knew about the meeting and its cancellation and told me that he would reschedule the meeting most probably at around 10 in the next morning and would confirm which he did soon after. It was a big relief to me. Sushil Sheemar, son of one of my friends in Jalandhar with whom I was staying in Chandigarh drove me to the meeting at the CM’s residence in Sector -2. S.K Sandhu, who turned out to be a close relation of Sushil Sheemar, received us in his office. CM Parkash Singh Badal arrived in the meeting room attached to his office at dot 10, unlike most of the political bigwigs. I was impressed by his sense of discipline and punctuality. S.K. Sandhu ushered me to the meeting room. CM made me feel comfortable with a warm Sat Sri Akal and nodded to sit down. Starting the conversation, CM spoke in Punjab ‘Sunao ki hall aa’ and made me further comfortable. I briefly introduced myself and while thanking for the opportunity to meet him added that I would be happy if I could be given some opportunity to serve the people of Punjab; particularly the weaker sections of the society as my wish to ‘pay back to the society’ under CM’s able leadership and guidance. He did not speak much but listened to me carefully and responded ‘acha hai’ and added that he was happy to meet me while signally to S.K. Sandhu who was present in the meeting to make a note of my submissions. With refreshments over tea, the meeting lasted for about 20 minutes. I found CM Parkash Singh Badal a seasoned and down to earth politician and a fine human being without pretentions. We shifted to Sandhu Sahib’s office where Sushil was waiting and exchange further notes. Sandhu Sahib observed that he could see that I was too naïve to understand the functioning here as I remained outside the country most of the time in a bit different set up. He also advised me to write again as a follow up with somewhat specific inputs which I did. Let us leave it here.

The sole purpose of this cursory piece is to remember and pay tributes to the departed leader, Sardar Parkash Singh Badal, a popular politician, able administrator and a human being par-excellence. May Waheguru grant peace to the departed soul? Naman.

Hazaron Saal Nargis Apni Benoori Pe Rotti Hai;

Badi Mushkil Se Hota Hai Chaman Mein Didabar Paida.

Ambedkar Jayanti at Phagwara

 

Ambedkar Jayanti at Phagwara

It is a matter of gratification to note that, of late, Ambedkar Jayanti, April 14, is increasingly becoming a national holiday in India and beyond. The fact of the matter is that the lofty ideals of ‘Equality, Liberty, Justice and Fraternity’ which is core of Ambedkar’s legacy is slowly but steadily taking roots in the Indian society which is

generally inflicted with an undercurrent of ‘caste based graded inequalities’ over the centuries. The world at large aspires to establish an ‘Equitable World Order’ for global peace and harmony. Many prominent cities, states and provinces of many developed countries like Canada, the USA, the UK, Australia among others have, taking cue from the proposal of April 14 as International Day of Equality under the aegis of the UN, have declared the day as ‘Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality in their respective areas. With every passing day, more and more people and organizations are joining the caravan and rightly so. 

I live in Jalandhar where Ambedkar Jayanti is traditionally celebrated with all solemnity and dedication to pay respects and tributes to one of the greatest sons of India in the contemporary times, Babasaheb Ambedkar. But this year, I went to Phagwara to
join celebrations on April 14. Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha and Dr.

Ambedkar Cultural and Literary Activities Center of Urban Estate of Phagwara kindly invited me to the function as the Chief Guest and Lead Speaker which I accepted with pleasure. It was a rewarding visit. Thanks to my hosts; Jagan Nath Bansal, Ghansham, Sarwan Ram Birha and their associates at Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha. It was a befitting function to remember Babasaheb Ambedkar. The missionary singer, Dharminder, an apparently educated and trained presenter, made the audience spell bound and fully charged the atmosphere. Ghansham ji welcoming the guests briefed the audience about the activities of the Sabha and Center and said that it was a matter of satisfaction for them that over the last more than two decades they had been able to create good facilities - cultural, educational, recreational and spiritual, for the community in and around Phagwara as an agenda to ‘pay back to the society’.  A social and community activist, Jagdish Dalia in his brief remarks appreciated the educational and training

Natak - Lacchu Kabadia

facilities to the young students and aspiring job seekers being arranged by Guru Ravidass Sabha and Ambedkar Center besides their various other activities. A stage presentation as a Natak – Lacchu Kabadia - by talented professionals from Desh Bhagat Yaadgar of Jalandhar was engaging and relevant to the prevailing socio-economic scenario in the country and the society at large and was much appreciative by the discerning audience. 

Though I was designated as the lead speaker yet I decided to speak briefly as the audience was comprised of well informed and highly placed professionals and intelligentsia of the community. There was no need to burden them with routine and trivial details. While paying my humble tributes to Babasaheb and greeting my fellow citizens on the Ambedkar Jyanti I said that it was a matter of satisfaction that amidst the turbulent times in the last 75 years since our independence in 1947, India that is Bharat could remain India because of the constitution of India given by our forefathers under the stewardship of Babasaheb Ambedkar and added that we need not bother and worry about the often raised boggy of changing the constitution by some vested interests. I don’t think any

such misadventure is likely to be undertaken by anyone. But if it happened so, it would clearly usher India into “Grammar of Anarchy” as warned by Babasaheb Ambedkar in the Constituent Assembly in his last speech on November 25, 1949. The said situation might lead to a revolution; hopefully a ‘velvet’ one and not a ‘bloody’ one. Ambedkar stood for a peaceful and harmonious transformation of the polity and the society. The second issue I mentioned was the increasing international profile of Babasaheb Ambedkar with reference to April 14 as the International Day of Equality and solicited the much needed support of the organizations like Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha and others. I assured the audience that, though the Government of India was blissfully sleeping on the proposal as yet, we would not leave any stone unturned to see that the International Day of Equality becomes a reality; sooner than later. My latest blog on the subject may be seen at: http://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2023/04/international-day-of-equality-when-will.html

The function was concluded with yet another praiseworthy and appreciable activity of the Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha – recognizing and encouraging the school students from the local and peripheral schools by giving them mementos and cash prizes for doing well in their studies as a befitting tribute to Babasaheb Ambedkar. I could feel that Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha was one of well run organizations in the area and wish that others learn from them to strengthen the resolve to ‘pay back to the society.

 

 

International Day of Equality – When will we wake up?

 

International Day of Equality – When will we wake up?

The birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar, April 14, has come again. Let me avail of the opportunity to remind the Government of

India on the proposal to declare April 14 as International Day of Equality under the aegis of the UN which is resting with the Ministry of External Affairs since June, 2015. I wrote on the subject in my blog in September, 2022 under the heading – International Day of Equality – a subject close to my heart which may be accessed at: http://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2022/09/international-day-of-equality-subject.html

As a matter of my considered opinion and being a true Ambedkarite, from the day one, our approach to pursue the matter has not been of agitation but of suggestion and persuasion. In the process, we have reached a stage where we find ourselves satisfied on hand and equally dejected on the other.  We feel ‘Dejected’ by the indifference shown by the Government of India to the proposal consciously or otherwise and ‘Satisfied’ or gratified by the positive response by the international community to the proposal. I have decided to broach up the subject again and share my thoughts to register our firm belief that the day will come when the proposal on the International Day of Equality will see the light of the day as it is increasingl becoming difficult to ignore the legacy of Babasaheb Ambedkar, one of the greatest sons of India with a vision to establish an ‘Equitable World Order’ as envisaged in the UN Charter.

Whereas the proposal on International Day of Equality is increasingly getting support in countries like Canada, USA, UK and many more, it is surprising to note that the authorities in India, by and large, are still indifferent in their approach to consider and support the initiative. I don’t see any plausible reason but to accept the fact that ‘Ambedkar never received anything easily even in his life time and the successive leaderships in India denied him his due for too long’. With the passing time, the ‘Ambedkar Phenomena’ has increasingly over taken the known and recognized personalities like; Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela among others.  It is gratifying to note that, without any organized and governmental support, Ambedkar’s statues, busts, memorials are coming up not only in India but throughout the civilized world. I write this with a sense of gratitude and thanks to the supporters, promoters and stake holders in the proposal to honour Babasaheb Ambedkar viz.; several outfits pertaining to Ambedkar in India and apex organizations namely; Chetna Association of Canada, Federation of Ambedkar and Buddhist Organisation of UK, Ambedkar International Coordination Society , the Ambedkar Times Group of papers of California in US, the Samaj Weekly of UK among other in foreign lands for their unstinted support in this regard. Since, I have nothing much to hide, I must register here my sense of regret too to put the things in perspective. Frankly, I did not get the expected response from the political class of the community
which otherwise never miss any opportunity to encash Ambedkar for

their political purposes. Most of the Ambedkar organizations which fall on each other to shout from the rooftops ‘Babasaheb Teri Soch Te Pehra Diyange Thokke’ have proved themselves as rubble rousers and as such could not understand the importance and relevance of the proposal. I am all the more dismayed rather perturbed by the indifference and feigned ignorance of the intelligentsia including the highly placed bureaucrats and professionals of the community who willfully choose to be oblivious of the matter. So much so, my direct approach to important personalities and activists like Prakash Ambedkar, Raj Ratan Ambedkar, Jignesh Mewani, Chandra Shekhar Azad among others did not elicit any positive response. I don’t know why it was so. Besides this, I have tried my every best to apprise and engage political bigwigs of the community both in the ruling and
opposition parties but could not succeed. We even tried to engage with our Deras and spiritual Gurus but they did not show much interest. I am purposely giving all these details not because we are deterred or tired but to inform the interested and concerned of the situation in which we are passing through. Here comes the question as to why the Governments should listen to us when we ourselves are not fully ready to go ahead and pursue matter. We are to wake up and reiterate our resolve and demonstrate our strength. The answer is very clear. I am fully convinced in my mind that the proposal on April 14 as the International Day of Equality will certainly see the light of the day, sooner than later. Mahatma Gandhi, one of the staunch opponent of Babasaheb Ambedkar, had rightly said, ‘you may criticize Ambedkar but you cannot ignore him’. This utterance is as good today as it was before. Ambedkar’s thought and legacy is potent enough to surge forward on its own steam. Anybody trying to undermine Ambedkar owing to one reason or the other will do so at ones on peril.

Let us revisit the subject and pass appropriate Resolutions at the congregations to celebrate and observe April 14, birthday of the great icon, as Day of Equality locally and send those Resolutions to the GOI, PM Narendra Modi and EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar.  By doing so,

we would only be paying our debt of gratitude to one of the greatest sons of India who did everything possible to bring about – Equality, Liberty, Justice and Fraternity to empower the suffering humanity not only in India but the world at large.

While I greet my readers on Ambedkr Jayanti, I recall a poetic expression to sound and alert my fellow Abedkarites:

Tu Pehle Baat; Phir Baat Ka Andaz Paida Kar,

Phir Duniya Mein Tujhe Koi Nazar Andaz Kar Nahin Sakta.

Ambedkar International Symposium at Vancouver (Canada) – April 21-26, 2023 – A Curtain Raiser

 

Ambedkar International Symposium at Vancouver (Canada) – April 21-26, 2023 – A Curtain Raiser

I learnt with satisfaction and pleasure from my friend Jai Birdi of Chetna Association of Canada that Chetna Association in cooperation with Ambedkarite International Coordination Society (AICS) is arranging and hosting ‘Ambedkar International Symposium on Emancipation and Equality’ in Vancouver from April

21-26, 2023 on the subjects of interest and concern with regard to Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar and his legacy in which more than 100 delegates not only from Canada but also other countries from the developed world will participate. The main theme of the Symposium will be ‘Emancipation and Empowerment on the basis of Equality.  In a Press Release in this regard, Jai Birdi and Param Kainth, Co-Chairpersons of the Steering Committee set up to steer the Symposium, said, “We are very excited to welcome the delegates and community members to these gatherings and facilitate interactive dialogue on dalit emancipation through inclusion, meaningful representation and enhanced social, political and economic equality” and added, “We are also very pleased to organize these events in partnership with our academic and community partners.” It clearly sets the agenda and direction of Ambedkar International Symposium. I am confident that the deliberations at this timely event in Vancouver would be of far-reaching importance and relevance particularly to Babasaheb Ambedkar’s legacy on ‘Equitable World Order’, the very ‘aim and objective’ of comity of nations under the aegis of the UN. Such an august gathering would be held in Vancouver by the Dalit Diaspora after almost 20 years, first such event was held in Vancouver in 2003, I understand. If one simply goes by the subjects, themes, involvement of institutions, participation of high caliber delegates and organizers, one can easily say that Ambedkar International Symposium will happen to be a high voltage event of great value to the students, scholars and decision makers on one hand and of great educative content and beneficial to the community and the society at large on the other.

It is gratifying to note that apart from the hosts, Chetna Association of Canada and AICS; there are more than six esteemed academic and research institutions and organizations namely; Department of Asian Studies of University of Columbia, Center for India and South Asia Research at University of British Columbia, University of Victoria, Center for India and South Asia Studies of University of Columbia, Simon Fraser University among others, which are fully engaged and

involved in the process. The subjects and themes of lectures, discussions, deliberations viz.:  Buddhism- as envisioned by Dr. Ambedkar, and outlined in his noble book, 'Buddha and His Dhamma, India's legal framework and how it enables human emancipation, Caste in academic settings in Canada and other jurisdictions, Caste and Entrepreneurship, Women and Youth Empowerment, inter alia, have been thoughtfully identified and selected, besides the most important one and of great contemporary relevance – April 14, birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as International Day of Equality under the UN arrangements. The crux of the matter is summed up when the organizers termed the show as “Dr. Ambedkar’s Menifesto”. With a view to underline the issue of discrimination on the basis of caste in the schools and universities, a session of the Symposium has been devoted and dedicated to Dr. Pamposh of Sri Guru Ram Dass Institute of Medical Reaserch and Rohit Vemula of Hyderabad University and rightly so.

Why a symposium in Vancouver, Canada? The hosts have raised the question and have answered it themselves. - "Metropolitan cities of Canada are now evolving and have a stronger visibility of the South Asian populations.  Similar to what is being reported in other jurisdictions, incidents of caste-based oppression are surfacing.  A need to assess and develop proactive measures is critical for preventing caste-based discrimination and providing safer places are critically needed in Canada.” The Press Note has rightly observed, “In the lower mainland of British Columbia, there is already a strong foundation and partnerships created with academic, community, media, and other organizations.” It is heartwarming to note that The City of Burnaby was the first to come forward and declared April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar, as Dr.B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality in April, 2020 followed by the Province of British Columbia and cities and provinces. It will not be out of place to mention and appreciate the pioneer work done by Chetna Association of Canada in this regard. They responded positively and candidly to the proposal of April 14 as International Day of Equality

in 2015, of which I happen to be a humble initiator, and wrote to PM Narendra Modi and others including their local interlocutors and pursued the matter with enthusiasm and zeal. It is thoughtful of Chetna Association and AICS to express their sense of gratitude to the local authorities in extending due recognition to the lofty ideals of Babasaheb Ambedkar, Equality, Liberty, Justice and Fraternity. I am confident that the legacy of the greatest son of India,  Babasaheb Ambedkar, will find and rightly so, greater acceptability and recognition in the friendly and democratic social and political weather like that of Canada in the years to come. It is further satisfying to note that other sister-outfits in Canada like; Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha (Vancouver),Shri Guru Ravidass Society of Calgary, Ambedkarites International Mission Society-Canada (Calgary), Shri 108 Sant Sarwan Dass Charitable Trust (Western Canada) are fully supportive and cooperative of the umbrella organizations like Chetna Association and AICS in their endeavors in this regard.

Ambedkar International Symposium is all set to be a great success not only because of the fact that the organizers and hosts of the big event are sincere and fully dedicated but also of the fact that the mere list of academics and intellectuals participating in the event reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of intelligentsia in Canada and beyond besides the availability of expert and professional advice of the stalwarts of the community namely; Prof (Dr.) Vivek Kumar, Dr. KP Singh, Dr. Suraj Yengde,,Dr. Sujata Gaurkhede and Dr. Yuwraj Naranaware.

I take this opportunity to wish all the very best to the organizers and hosts of Ambedkar International Symposium and hope that the symposium would further enlighten and empower the depressed and oppressed communities of the world to contribute positively in the establishing an ‘Equitable World Order’, the cherished wish of Babasaheb Ambedkar.

It was intended to be a mere ‘curtain raiser’ before the event. More details, if required, the Media Coordinator, Rattan Paul and the Team-ASE, 2023 may be contacted:

Ratan Paul, media coordinator. Email: paul2cc@hotmail.com or ase2023@yahoo.com and Phone: 778-772-2101

www.ase2023.ca and: Team ASE2023

www.ase2023.ca

ase2023@yahoo.com

(A Blog of Ambassador Ramesh Chander, a retired Career Diplomat of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ambedkar in London – A book of great historical value

 

Ambedkar in London – A book of great historical value

A book of a great historical value, Ambedkar in London, was officially released in London some weeks ago. One of the authors, Ms. Santosh Dass, MBE a social and human rights activists and President of Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organisations (FABO) of UK, one of my ‘acquaintances of understanding and respect’ sent me the book in advance of the formal release through

Harbans Virdee presenting the book

one of her associates in the FABO, Harbans Virdee. I wished to read the book and offer my comments before the release of the book as a ’curtain raiser’ but could not do so because of my pre-occupation on one side and the ‘heavy content’ of the book which required ‘digestion’ on the other. Meanwhile, I have seen some well written reviews of the book in the social media and that have made my job (pastime) of blogging easy. I take the liberty of offering my humble comments on the book, Ambedkar in London, written and compiled by renowned intellectuals and academics; William Gould, Professor of Indian History at the University of Leeds, Santosh Dass and Christophe Jaffrelot, Professor of Indian Politics and Sociology at King’s India Institute.

Ambedkar in London, published by Hurst and Company of London, is “An exploration of the international context for Ambedkar’s ideas around caste, law, religion, democracy and race, as developed while studying in the imperial capital”, as stated at the inner page of the jacket of the book. It further adds, “This book explores his lesser known period of London based study and publication during the early 1920s, presenting that experience as a lens for thinking about Ambedkar’s intellectual significance. “ I tend to agree with these assertions that Ambedkar’s multifaceted intellectual and academic inputs came to fore during his time as a law student at the Gray’s Inn and doctoral researcher at the London School of Economics.

Coming to the contents of the book, the Foreword has been written by a renowned young scholar and Ambedkarite activist and, Suraj Milind Yengde (I met him briefly at Ambedkar Bhawan at Jalandhar a couple of years ago), really a thought provoking piece on Ambedkar’s ‘International presence’ and his ‘International relativity’. He has rightly said, “Ambedkar’s presence was vast and

the shadow he cast was even longer.” Suraj Yengde has stated in the Foreword, which put the things in perspective with regard to the title of the book, and I quote, “Unlike New York, where Ambedkar only nourished himself in intellectual activities and academic growth, London was where he began to put his ideas into action.” It is satisfying to note that Suraj Yengde has done full justice to the book and one of the greatest sons of India by candidly saying, “In all of this book, Ambedkar’s conduct was feisty. He held himself high. He certainly did not as any lesser think of himself, nor did he treat his opponents as devilish. Ambedkar elevated statesmanship to a level which required Britain’s bureaucrats and aristocratic political classes to sit up and pay attention.  A longish Introduction has been done by the two out of three authors of the book, Santosh Dass and William Gould. They wrote that as to how the idea of this book came up during the struggle to get 10 King Henry’s Road, where Ambedkar stayed as a student in London, declared a museum. The book, Ambedkar in London, has been divided into two parts. Part One contains 5 essays on important aspects of Ambedkar’s stay and interaction in London right from the student and research scholar days and his important work and contribution in the Round Table Conferences written by prominent historians and scholars like; William Gould, Sue Donnelly and Daniel Payne, Steven Gasztowtez, Jesus F. Chairez Garza and Christophe Jaffrelot. In his piece – Ambedkar The Activist Research Scholar in 1920 London, William Gould has given some interesting information on the personal life of Ambedkar referring to some “F” (pages 22-23) whom later Ambedkar dedicated his one of the important books, What Gandhi and the Congress has done to the Untouchables with the dedication “In Thy Presence is the Fullness of Joy”. In the second essay of Sue Donnelly and Daniel Pyne, A Student in London, the authors confirmed that Ambedkar did not have much of personal life and was interested only his studies while at the London School of Economics. They write (page 52), “It is possible that Ambedkar did not greatly engage with the social side of school life as completing his studies in three years would have required him to spend most of his time studying. He is not pictured in any of the photographs or mentioned in ‘The Clare Market Review’. This in contrast to Krishna Menon,” his contemporary at the LSE. One can imagine how much sacrifice Ambedkar did with regard to his mission and vision? The authors have rightly noted (page 62), “He was neither the first nor the last Indian student to study at the LSE but he was among those who have made the greatest impact on the world.” The third write up is, Ambedkar As Lawyer, done by Steven Gasztowicz, a lawyer to steer the legal aspects of Ambedkar Museum at 10KHR. He candidly writes (page 64), out of sheer reverence to Ambedkar, that how much he was impressed by the icon and made him determined to win the legal battle, ‘Having learnt about him, I was also determined to win the case for him, if humanly possible, whatever the difficulties. Looking at the legal training and experiences of Ambedkar should provide not on reassurances but great inspiration not only for lawyers but for people in the whole array of other occupations and way life.” It is a wholesome tribute to Ambedkar. The fourth article, Ambedkar, London and the First Round Table Conference written by Jesus Chairez Garza presents an in-depth analysis of Ambedkar’s early attempts to internationalise the problem of untouchability in India. Towards the conclusion of the article the author tends to support the views of some of the followers of Ambedkar that by signing the Poona Pact in 1932 with Mahatma Gandhi, Ambedkar lost the political edge in abandoning the ‘Separate Electorates’ for the depressed classes. He writes (page 106), “…Ambedkar’s political achievements in London were not to last. On his return to the subcontinent, Ambedkar found that the caste boundaries he was able to defy in Britain were reinstated into the political debate about dalit representation.”  The next chapter is Christophe Jeffrelot’s Dr. Ambedkar in 1920s – The Transitional Decade.  It is a thought provoking piece on the ‘changing thought process and action’ of Ambedkar. One thing becomes clear that to begin with Ambedkar was not a revolutionary of the left orientation but was a reformist of the right orientation.  I quote from the article to further elaborate this, “Ambedkar’s reservations about separate electorates stem also here from his fears that such a reform would divide the Indian nation; I do contemplate and I do desire, the time when India shall be one and I do believe that a time will come when, for instance, all these things will not be necessary, but all that would depend upon the attitude of the majority towards the minority.” May be this thinking of Ambedkar need further debate and deliberations.  The Part two of the book as stated by Santosh Dass and Willian Gould in a brief introduction, said (page 130), “The book, therefore, juxtaposes the historical Ambedkar with the contemporary Ambedkar. In this sense, building on Part One’s narrative, Part Two further develops the symbolic, emotional but material and institutional impact of Ambedkar in Britain’s Dalit Diaspora.” The chapter, The Ambedkarite Movement in Britain, written by two leading lights of the Dalit Diaspora in Britain, Santosh Dass and Arun Kumar both functionaries of FABO have given a fair and lengthy account of Ambedkar and Dalits in Britain from historical perspective and also some of the current activities and issues concerning the community

Ambedkar's portrait at Gary's Inn London

like; Ambedkar Museum at 10KHR, Ambedkar Room at the Gary’s Inn, Bust of Ambedkar at the India House (HC of India), financing and establishing  of various Buddha Vihara’s and Ambedkar outfits not only in Britain but also in India, Ambedkar’s birthday, April 14 as the International Day of Equality under the aegis of the UN as mentioned at page 155 referring me (Ambassador Ramesh Chander) as an initiator of the proposal among others. With regard to the proposal on International Day of Equality, I would like to take this
opportunity to thank FABO; particularly Arun Kumar and Santosh Dass for supporting the proposal right from its inception in 2015 by writing to PM Narendra Modi and urging the GOI to make an official and diplomatic demarche to the UN in this regard. A heartwarming reference (page 157) to Vaclav Havel of the Czech Republic, with whom I had the opportunities to meet and interact in New Delhi sometime in 1990 as Under Secretary in the East Europe Division of the MEA and later in Prague sometimes in 2005-06 as Minister of the Embassy of India, with regard to inclusion of Ambedkar in the school curriculum is really praiseworthy particularly with the resolve of the dalit communities as indicated in the essay under reference which reads, “It may be only a matter of time before the movement will see that the British school children learn about Ambedkar in the same way they do about Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela.”  The next chapter gives details of the initiative and struggle to turn 10KHR, where Ambedkar lived as a student into Ambedkar Museum. It was a difficult job to begin with but Dalit Diasopora in the UK, led by Santosh Dass. Gautam Chakravarti, Arun Kumar among others under the aegis of FABO and other Ambedkarite, Buddhist and Ravidassia outfits engaged the local authorities, High Commission of India, Government of Maharastra and other stake holders to get the proposal accepted. The proposal took six years to become a reality and was formally handed over and

PM Narendra Modi at Ambedar Museum London

 declared open by PM Narendra Modi on November 14, 2015. It was gratifying to note that many of my diplomatic colleagues from the IFS fraternity namely; Ranjan Mithai, Dr. Varinder Paul, Dinesh Patnaik, Ajay Gondane among others, were fully involved in the process, The Ambedkar Museum is a befitting tribute to one of greatest sons of India in the contemporary times. I will be failing in my earnestness, if I don’t mention here that even after it formal inauguration by PM of India, there were many procedural and legal formalities to be completed. Santosh Dass with her dedicated associates did their best finally made the memorial fully functional. Thanks to all of them. The next essay, The Campaign to Outlaw Caste Discrimination in Britain written by Santosh Dass, a crusader to fight the caste menace, is her pioneering work taken under the umbrella of CasteWatchUK and Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance. It is not charitable to note caste has travelled with the Hindu Diaspora as feared and visualized by Babasaheb Ambedkar and to reiterate this fact, I quote from the book (page 202), “ Ambedkar warned that if Hindus migrate to other regions on earth, Indian caste would become world problem.” It happened so particularly in the UK, the USA, Canada and other destination of mass migration. Though personally, I don’t think we should try to make it an issue and try to bring in social reform yet it is time for the Hindu hierarchy to sit and think to take on the Caste based discrimination head on by invoking the legacy of Ambedkar internationally. The proposal to declare April 14, birthday of Bbasaheb Ambedkar, as International Day of Equality under the UN comes to my mind could be one such initiative. I hope somebody listens in the GOI. The campaign of Santosh Dass and others is not without purpose. The last chapter of the book is, Ambedkar in London and the African American community done by Cavin Brown, a Fulbright Scholar in India in late 1990s. Many details on the subject are available in the piece. My personal thinking is that though Ambedkar’s legacy is fully potent to carry itself and as such President Barack Obama called him as ‘Symbol of Knowledge’ yet the question raised by Cavin Brown is relevant and needs answer; ‘Why don’t African-American intellectuals know more about Dr. Ambedkar.” William Gould has thoughtfully concluded the thought provoking narration of Ambedkar in London, Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar is celebrated or memorialised today n multiple ways in India and elsewhere and arguably as a single historical figure, his wider political significance is unmatched.”

Ambedkar in London is a fully researched and well documented work by intellectuals and professional with Reference Notes and Select Bibliography at the end, List of Illustration (photos inserted inside the book) and List of Ambedkar Organisations in Britain since 1960 in the beginning of the book makes it a highly commendable and readable work.

With this I close this so called review with one or two observations not to find faults but to register that I tried my best to do justice to the book in my own humble way – one, it would have been good, had the writers thought of giving some personal anecdotes of Ambedkar’s stay, work and interaction in London for the benefit of readers and Second, It is with regard to Babasaheb Ambedkar’s historic and epoch making visit to Jalandhar in October, 1951 in which my blog on the subject has been mentioned (page 134), there are some factual errors, obviously inadvertent but not of substance – Lahori Ram Balley who is said to have met Ambedkar Sahib at Jalandhar in October, 1951  and the second - the name of Sulekh Sahib, who was the Master of Ceremonies at the public meeting at Bootan Mandi, is Kartar Chand and not Kishan Chand as mentioned in the book. I may add a bit to elaborate further, the car in which Babasaheb and his wife Savita Ambedkar travelled was driven by not a professional or hired driver but by a young scion of Seth Kishan Dass’s family (nephew of Seth ji), Sant Ram alias Pritam Ramdasspuri, a poet of standing writing in Urdu, Persian and Punjabi languages, my fellow BootanMandian.