G-20 and India: Guest Lecture at UILS Hoshiarpur

 

G-20 and India: Guest Lecture at UILS Hoshiarpur

I was invited by University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS) at the Panjab University Swami Sarvanand Giri Regional Centre (PU SSG RC) at Hoshiarpur district of Punjab on the current and topical theme:  G-20 and India on September 22. UILS and PU SSG RC are

the ‘centres of academic excellence’ in the Doaba area of Punjab and beyond. Panjab University opened a Regional Centre for imparting quality technical education to Kandi area of hoshiarpur after the name of Swami Sarvanand Giri Panjab University Regional Centre in the year 2006 with four branches of engineering. In 2007, it started two new courses in LAW as BA LLB (5 year integrated course) and 3 Years LLB course. The website of the UILS states its Vision as ‘To Be a Globally Renowned Education Hub that Caters Quality Education’ and rightly so. My visit and interaction at the UILS fully justified what they had visualized. It was a matter of gratification to see and note – majestic campus, lush green environment, state of the art educational facilities and calm and serene atmosphere. I was really humbled further and touched to hear the background of PU SSG RC from Dr. Brijesh Sharma, Co-coordinator of the Guest Lecture about the philanthropic gesture of Dr. Lajpat Rai Munger, a US National of Indian origin in donating the Campus of UILS and PU SSG RC to Punjab University in 2006 on the understanding that the Punjab University will name the Regional Centre after his spiritual Guru, Swami Sarvananda Giri. Dr. Lajpar Rai Munger, a well to do business man (Blueberry Farming

etc. in the US) belonged to the nearby village called Nangal Shahidan. He acquired 20 acres of land in Bajwara village and established a college named after his revered Guru Swami Sarvananda to cater for the educational needs of the area which was later transferred to Punjab University – a great and appreciable gesture on the part of the Munger family in the spirit of ‘paying back to the society’.

The lecture was attended mostly by the law students and faculty of the Institute. I started with a brief background of the G-20 as to when and what for the group was established to meet the economic and financial crisis and gave an over view of the journey of the Group to the 18th Summit held in New Delhi on September 9-10 under the

Indian Presidency. I informed the attentive audience of young students that it was a big event for India and its diplomacy. India could register its point of view and influence in the national and international matters to bring about a shared global future for the mankind through the Indian philosophical dictum – Vashudaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth – One Family with Universal sense of oneness. Referring to the Leaders’ New Delhi Declaration, a diplomatic coup, I touched on the achievements with Indian initiatives -Energy Initiative - Launch of the Global Biofuels Alliance - Connectivity Initiative - India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEE EC) - New Member - the inclusion of the African Union (AU) as a permanent member of the G20 – tactful handling of the Ukraine conflict – Reform and restructuring of UN – Joint and concerted response to terrorism among others. In conclusion, I sounded and alerted the audience of the challenges ahead and added “Diplomacy is an on-going process and it would continue in the diplomatic spirit of ‘we agree to disagree’. India is on rails in this regard. G-20 Presidency of India was a ‘rotating’ event. Next Presidency will go to Brazil. Beyond a sense of euphoria in this regard, India would need to pay a bit more attention to internal situation – Diplomacy or international relations is an extension of internal stability and security – it is only a world of caution – India has come a long way and has arrived but it has to go a long way to reach.” In a lighter vein I said that as a diplomat, I believe, “In the world of diplomacy, certain things are better left unsaid” and invited the young minds for interaction. There was a good interaction with the disciplined and engaged young assembly for my knowledge and advantage.

Prof. Balbinder Kumar and Dr. Brijesh Sharma held the fort and conducted the proceedings of the Guest Lecture with aplomb in the absence of Director of UILS; Prof. H.S. Bains who was expected to

preside over the function but could not do so due to exigencies of work. Later I met Prof Bains in his office and discussed matters of mutual interest. My brief interaction with him and subsequent a good working luncheon hosted by him impressed me a great deal. I found him an able educational administrator and an enlightened academic and also a friendly person. My visit to UILS was a rewarding one and I am indebted to Prof. Balbinder Kumar for taking the initiative in this regard.

 

 

 

 

Poona Pact of 1932 signed between Mahatma Gandhi and Babasaheb Ambedkar

 

Poona Pact of 1932 signed between Mahatma Gandhi and Babasaheb Ambedkar

Today, September 24, is the anniversary of Poona Pact of 1932 signed between Mahatma Gandhi and Babasaheb Ambedkar in Yerwada jail in then Poona (now Pune) in the wake of PM Ramsey MacDonnell’s Communal Award providing for separate electorates for the depressed classes now generally called dalits or Scheduled

Castes. Mahatma Gandhi opposed the Communal Award and went into ‘fast unto death’ in the jail. His health started deteriorating. Obviously, the whole country and the Congress Party were concerned and worried. Since the Communal Award was the net result of Dr. Ambedkr’s untiring and relentless efforts particularly his articulation of the issue of political and social rights of dalits at the Round Table Conferences and other fora, the entire Indian leadership particularly the Hindus persuaded Babasaheb Ambedkar to relent in the interest of cohesiveness of Hindu society and save the life of ‘adamant and stubborn’ Mahatma Gandhi, a staunch Sanatani Hindu. Babasaheb was a visionary leader and a patriotic nationalist from the core agreed in the larger interest of the country and the society at large and signed some understandings with Mahatma Gandhi with regard to the interests of dalits. Those understandings were called “Poona Pact”, having far reaching implications for the integration of the depressed and oppressed masses with the main stream of society.

My forthcoming book “Some Random Thoughts on Babasaheb Ambedkar and His Legacy – The Bits and Pieces”, likely to be launched soon, carries my blog on the subject as Chapter 18 at page 93 – Analytical Commentary on Poona Pact of 1932. The Foreword

of the book has been written by, General Secretary of Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organisations (FABO) of UK, Arun Kumar,  a staunch Ambedkarite. I take this opportunity to thank Ambedkar Times Inc spearheaded by Chief Editor of the Ambedkar Times and The Desh Doaba for extending all support in publishing the book.

Chapter 18 of the forthcoming book – Some Random Thoughts on Babasaheb Ambedkar and His Legacy – The Bits and Pieces

Analytical Commentary on Poona Pact of 1932

I have written about Poona Pact of 1932 signed between Mahatma Gandhi and Babasaheb Ambedkar a couple of times before and gave my views. The anniversary of the Pact falls on September 24. Editor Prem Chumber of the Ambedkar Times invited me to write a piece on the subject for the esteemed paper. I was a bit lethargic as much has been said and written on the subject and moreover now, it has no practical relevance and it has gone to the realm of history. An immediate provocation to say something again on Poona Pact was the video message of a staunch Ambedkarite and an intellectual living legend Lahori Ram Balley which I heard on Facebook a little while ago. I am not inclined to go to the facts and figures in this regard and would limit myself to a running commentary on the importance of Poona Pact and how it contributed in bringing the depressed classes on the political map and agenda of India in the subsequent landmark events of India Act, 1935 and finally the Constitution of India. In fact, in other words, it turns out to be a tribute to the sagacity and integrity of the one of the greatest sons of India, Babasaheb Ambedkar on one hand and the suspect attitude of Mahatma Gandhi in blackmailing Ambedkar to watch and protect the interests of the Hindu society at large at the cost of dalits on one hand and the treachery of the ruling elite after independence on the other by not faithfully implementing the special provisions made for the Scheduled Castes to give practical shape to the understandings stipulated in the Poona Pact in all sincerity and solemnity. I think, that is why, later Ambedkar himself termed the Pact a “mean deal” as it could not deliver as promised and visualized both by the society and also by the polity.

The Separate Electorates to the depressed Classes in line with the similar provisions for Muslims, Christians, Sikhs etc granted in the Communal Award of PM Ramsey MacDonald was the result of Ambedkar’s untiring efforts and assertions at the Round Table Conferences much against the agenda and wishes of Mahatma Gandhi who wanted dalits to remain in the fold of Hindus. Mahatma Gandhi tried his best to convince the British rulers in Delhi and London to undo the Separate Electorates offered to dalits in the Communal Award but failed. He flouted his usual weapon of “fast” to exploit and compel the British rulers on one hand and also the recognized leader of depressed classes, Babasaheb Ambedkar on the other. Gandhi started his “fast unto death” in the Yerawada jail in Poona where he was detained. It was one of the cunning tactics of caste Hindus led by Gandhi to stop a separate identity of dalits and to defeat Ambedkar. The whole country was made to stand and oppose separate electorates to the depressed classes. The atmosphere was so vitiated with hatred that Babasaheb was condemned as anti-national and anti- Hindu. He was threatened to be killed before something untoward happened to Gandhi. The wife of Gandh, Kasturba made appeals of mercy to Babasaheb to save the life of her husband. Hindu fundamentalists like Babu Rajendra Prasad, C. Rajagopalachari, Madan Mohan Malaviya among others appealed and requested Babasaheb Ambedkar to save the life of Gandhi by rejecting the separate electorates to dalits and remaining in the Hindu fold. It was a very difficult and critical preposition before the sole leader of the depressed classes. On one side, he was to abandon and forego voluntarily the gains and advantage he himself achieved at the Round Table Conferences and otherwise for the benefit of the depressed classes and on the other to prove his credentials as a nationalist and a caring leader for the overall good of the main stream of the society. There were threats to his life. Balley Sahib in his message which I mentioned before narrated a historical fact of an editorial written by Mahasha Krishan in the Urdu paper The Partap published from Lahore where he threatened that Ambedkar must be careful and considerate in taking the decision as dictated by the Hindu leaders led by Mahatma Gandhi otherwise before the final rites of the Mahatma, if he died in his “fast unto death, the funeral of Ambedkar would be held before that. One can easily gauge the gravity of the situation. Ambedkar was not only a consummate intellectual politician who not only knew the universally accepted dictum ‘politics is an art of the possible’ but also subscribed to the lofty ideals of compassion and morality of the Buddha. As a true nationalist and recognizing the value of Mahatma Gandhi’s role as a leading light of the freedom movement and also his preference to bring about cohesiveness in the society at large instead of ushering the country into communal divide and hatred decided to cooperate and agreed to the submissions of Mahatma Gandhi and other Hindu leaders which resulted in the famous Poona Pact of 1932. Babasaheb Ambedkar was a negotiator par excellence. He tried his best and convinced the Hindu leaders to see the situation of the depressed classes in the Hindu fold and do something concrete to ameliorate their sufferings in the Manuwadi set up. There was no option with the Gandhi camp. In the Poona Pact, Ambedkar got more facilities and enabling provisions for the depressed classes than offered in the Communal Award by the British rulers. Not only the reserved seats in the legislature but also special provisions in education and socio-economic aspects with a view to integrate dalits with the main stream of the society as equal partners. With this the much maligned concept of ‘Reservation” was born which finally found enumeration in the Constitution of India of which Babasaheb himself was the architect and pilot. The opponents of ‘Reservation” for dalits are ill-informed and half educated that nobody offered the special provisions of reservation etc. on the platter out of magnanimity and compassion but were achieved with ardent and consistent efforts and sacrifices by Dr. Ambedkar and his associates and the suffering masses. The spirit of Poona Pact will remain alive under the overall impact and implementation of the Constitution of India. The only negation which comes to my mind is that by foregoing the separate electorates, dalits lost an edge in electing their true representatives in the parliament, legislatures and municipal bodies. Perhaps this is the reason by Manyawar Kanshi Ram called them “Chamchas” and some of the dalit activists opposed the Poona Pact. Let us leave it to historians to judge and give their verdict.

All said and done, I have no hesitation in saying that whatever Ambedkar Sahib did and accomplished in signing the Poona Pact was a master-stroke in the given times and circumstances under difficult and trying conditions. Babasaheb proved himself as a great and visionary leader. With this, I remember Poona Pact of 1932 the harbinger of political and social space for dalits in the map of India. I Salute to Babasaheb Ambedkar.

 

 

 

 

As I Please – Mohan Bhagwat on Reservation and Bharat -Akhand Bharat

 

As I Please – Mohan Bhagwat on Reservation and Bharat -Akhand Bharat

Mohan Bhagwat on Reservation for socially marginalized – Sarsanghchalak of RSS, Mohan Bhagwat has made an important statement with regard to reservations to the socially marginalized sections of the society and reiterated his views on this much

maligned and widely debated issue of reservations as provided in the constitution of India. While speaking at a function in Nagpur recently Mohan Bhagwat said, “We kept our own fellow human beings behind in the social system. We did not care for them, which continued for almost 2,000 years. Until we provide them equality, some special remedies have to be done." and added, “Reservations have to continue till there is such discrimination.” It seems that things have come full circle due to the ‘Ambedkar Affect’ which I elaborated in my earlier blog. The new statement of the RSS Supremo is a clear departure from his earlier position articulated eight years ago, when he had called for a review of the system of quotas (Reservations). This is a review of the RSS’s stand on caste-based reservations over the decades.

Let us not create any controversy on this important statement and take it on its face value till it is not proved to the contrary. The ball is in their court not only as the mentor of the ruling outfit, BJP but also as the strongest proponent of the main stream of the society, the Hindus. It is said that ‘the taste of the pudding lies in its eating’

. Reservations have been provided in the constitution as an ‘affirmative action’ by the state to bring about social equality or let us say ‘Samrasta’ as RSS itself profess in the society. It is a matter of regret and worry that so far no government and the civic society could deliver in implementing the Reservation provisions sincerely. The vested interests who are opposing the Reservations are encouraged to shout from the roof tops by the Thekedars of the society in consonance with their ‘socio-cultural’ ethos ordained by ‘Manuwad’ – dividing society on the basis of caste. This is the root cause of the problem. RSS and the main stream of the society ought to think and come out of the ‘lip service’ mode to integrate the socially weaker sections of the society and bring about the much flouted plank of ‘Samrasta’.  I stand for Samrasta in spite of the fact that many of my friends caution and even criticize me for doing so. There is no point in elaborating it here.  Let us join hands in this regard and negate the Allama Iqbal who said and still appears good.

Iqbal Bada Updeshak Hai Man Batton Se Moh Letta Hai

Gufftar Ka To Yeh Gazi Bana Kirdar Ka Gazi Ban Na Saka

 

***

 

Bharat – Akhand Bharat – Of late, a fresh debate, often acrimonious, on the name of our country has started as if we don’t have anything more important to discuss in these challenging times. The constituent Assembly fully debated the issue and described in the very first article of the constitution – Name and territory of the Union - “India that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States”. I don’t

understand the controversy. Frankly, to my mind, it gives strength to the lobby which has apprehensions that the right wing Hindu outfits, currently the ruling dispensations, intend to change the constitution. The media (The Tribune) has reported that Mohan Bhagwat Sahib said in his response to a question on the issue "India vs Bharat" issue and the concept of 'Akhand Bharat,' the RSS chief expressed that embracing the identity of 'Bharat' entails embracing the authentic culture of the nation and added "Those who separated from Bharat feel they have made a mistake...Bharat hona yani Bharat ke swabhav ko svikar karna.” I only hope that there is no hidden agenda in the guise of these avoidable controversies. India is Bharat and would remain so. It may not be out of place to mention that as a matter of habitual routine I tend to say ‘Hindostan’ instead of India or Bharat in my day to day talk. Some of my friends, particularly those who oppose the idea of ‘India as a Hindu State’, object to this and advise me to say India or Bharat and not Hindostan. I see their point. The interesting fact is that the followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar already use Jai Bheem and Jai Bharat in their routine salutations intentionally and rightly so.. By now, it seems the Government of PM Narendra Modi is all set to officially change the name of India to Bharat. It would create an avoidable friction in the polity and society of India that is Bharat. India is Bharat and Bharat is India. Coming to the ‘outdated’ idea of Akhand Bharat, again I must say that I don’t understand this. Is it possible to put the clock back? Pakistan and Bangladesh are sovereign countries on the world map. They are Islamic countries unlike Bharat which is a secular country. Why do we need to increase our problems? On one hand, communal scenario is becoming a serious problem because of increasing ‘confidence deficit’ between the majority Hindus and minority Muslims and on the other, the idea of Akhand Bharat would tend to make Bharat as the largest Muslim populated country. Why don’t we talk of Nepal which was the only Hindu Kingdom till recently, a Hindu majority country, to join Akhand Bharat? Let us shed this utopian thinking. Some of these things do not make any sense to me. RSS is a potent force. If it intends to bring about real reform in the society they would need to think big. Without saying more, let me quote from an article, We are one family, Really written by Mohit Mahajan, appeared in the Tribune in the wake of just concluded G-20 Submit as some food for thought, “The wonderful notion of inclusivity in the phrase ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (‘the whole world is a family’) takes one’s breath away — the loftiness of the idea, the impossibility of achieving it!

Bharat wishes to spread this spirit of brotherhood across the world. It’s an ambition that must be praised. But if you’re even slightly interested in political events and discussions taking place around you — communal violence in Nuh, Manipur, the debate over Sanatan Dharma and India-Bharat, to name only a few of the burning issues — it would be clear that the we need to urgently implement ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ in our own country first. We’re not a family in India — we’re tribal people most comfortable in silos of religion, caste, sub-caste, ethnicity, language, culture, and more.”

We need to learn and set the matter in perspective.

Jara Dekh Jo Kuch Ho Raha; Hone wala Hai,

Bhala Rakh Kya Hai Ahde Kuhan Ki Dastano Mein

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rising Profile of Bharat – International Day of Equality

 

Rising Profile of Bharat – International Day of Equality

Bharat that is India has come a long way in its ‘tryst with destiny’ in its journey started with Independence in August, 1947 and duly codified with the constitution of India that is Bharat in January, 1950. Every successive year saw the profile of Bharat rising not only to alleviate poverty and bring about development but also getting due space and share in the international sphere. The successful conclusion of the G-20 Presidency of Bharat is the high point which requires full appreciation of the GOI headed by PM Narendra Modi and the Indian diplomacy – Bhartiya Kootniti led by Dr. S.

Jaishankar. I take this opportunity to congratulate both the PM and the EAM and their teams for taking caravan of forward to make India a developed country by 2047, the Amrit Kaal of Bharat. Indian diplomacy has come full circle. The just concluded G-20 has clearly established that India has arrived. We need to keep engaged ourselves in activities and endeavors to make Bharat reach by 2047 as asserted by PM Narendra Modi at the G-20 to achieve the lofty ideals of ‘Vashudhaiva Katumbakam’ – One Earth – One Family – One Future.

There are many idea and proposals under consideration of the GOI in this regard to make Bharat’s presence felt in the comity of nations.  Bharat has succeeded in flagging these issues in the recent past with the time tested tool of our ‘Soft Diplomacy’ – 2^nd October, birthday of Mahatma Gandhi as International Non-violence Day and  21^st June as International Yoga Day to celebrate and promote the Indian thought of physical and spiritual wellness of mankind. With a view to strengthen our take and reach under the ‘Soft and Cultural Diplomacy’, a proposal to declare April 14, birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Chief Architect of the Indian Constitution and one of the prominent champions of Equality and Fraternity was made to the GOI in June, 2015 in the run up to celebrate and observe 125^th birth anniversary of one of greatest sons of Bharat in the contemporary times. The proposal is resting with the MEA in New Delhi since 2015. We have been reminding the concerned authorities and the

stakeholders of the proposal on International Day of Equality but GOI is blissfully silent as of now. It goes without saying that International Day of Equality will not only be yet another feather tin the Soft Diplomacy of Bharat but also be a firm step towards realizing the objective of the UN of establishing a ‘Just Word Order’.

With this background, I have taken the liberty of writing again to the EAM, Dr. S, Jaishankar and PMO on the proposal on International Day of Equality with the hope that PM or EAM may like to take the matter to UN in the forthcoming UNGA in New York towards the latter half of the month of September, 2023. My letter dated September 11, 2023 may be seen below.

Har Dardmand Dil Ko Rona Mera Rula De,

Behosh Jo Pade Hain Shayad Une Jaga De

 

Text of the letter dated September 11, 2023 to EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar with an endorsement to Principal Secretary to PM,

P.K. Mishra

September 11, 2023

Respected Sir,

First of all, I congratulate you and the GOI on the successful G-20 Meet yet another feather in your hat. I take this opportunity to wish you further success in the days to come.

I am writing this again, Sir, to remind you on the proposal to declare April 14, birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, as International Day of Equality in the ambit of Bharat’s Soft and Cultural Diplomacy. I have been writing to you and other stakeholders in this regard. My last letter dated May 6, 2023 to you in this regard is enclosed for ready reference. Meanwhile, more than 30 organizations pertaining to Babasaheb Ambedkar, Gautam Buddha and Guru Ravidass in the UK submitted a Memorandum to the High Commissioner of India in support of the proposal. I am sure the HC must have forwarded the Memorandum to the MEA. I wrote a blog on this which may be accessed at:- http://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2023/06/the-more-merrier-all-buddhist-and-guru.html

  I also wrote an open letter to the BJP leadership with a view to sensitize them and solicit their understanding and support which may be seen in my blog:- http://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2023/05/an-open-letter-to-bjp-leadership-april.html

You would appreciate that, Sir; International Day of Equality is an important proposal which would tend to strengthen Bharat’s soft diplomacy on one hand and honour one of the greatest sons of India, Babasaheb Ambedkar on the other. The timing of this submission is to catch up with the forthcoming UNGA in the last week of September, 2023. You may like to take advantage of your presence and participation in the UNGA to take up the proposal on International Day of Equality in your address to the international community.

With regards and all the best wishes,

 

Yours truly

(Ramesh Chander)

Dr. S. Jaishankar,

Minister of External Affairs,

South Block, New Delhi

 

Copy to:-

Shri P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to PM, PMO, South Block, New Delhi

                                                                                                               

 

As I Please – Some Random Thoughts on Current Matters of Interest and Concern

 

As I Please – Some Random Thoughts on Current Matters of Interest and Concern

Mischievous Suggestions to Change the Constitution of India – Constitution of India is a living document and as such remains in the news on one count on the other. India is passing through challenging times in its ‘tryst with destiny’ under various cross currents. There

had been fears and concerns floating around about change of the constitution by vested interests in the ruling outfits and right-wing Hindutava elements; particularly ever since the BJP government came into power in 2014. Right or wrong, BJP and RSS leadership had been rejecting these apprehensions. Nevertheless, the ‘confidence deficit’ persisted and remained which adversely affected the credentials of the government and its professed agenda of “Sab Ka Sath – Sab Ka Vikas – Sab Ka Vishwas”. Of late, the issue has again been revived by the ‘seemingly, ‘motivated’ views of non else but a very highly placed Aide of PM Narenda Modi, Bibek Debroy, Chairman of the Economic Advisory Committee of PM who in an article to coincide with the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav – Independence Day of India wrote, “Much of what we debate begins and ends with the Constitution. A few amendments won’t do. We should go back to the drawing board and start from first principles, asking what these words in the Preamble mean now: socialist, secular, democratic, justice, liberty and equality. We the People have to give ourselves a new Constitution.”  Bibek Debroy said this in the background of his thinking, “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav means we have in mind a template for India in 2047. The bedrock of all policies is set by the Constitution, which was adopted on November 26, 1949 by the Constituent Assembly and came into force on January 26, 1950. However, no Constitution should be cast in stone. It is meant to be dynamic and is supposed to reflect the will of the people through Parliament, a point which was repeatedly made during the Constituent Assembly debates. India’s Constitution today isn’t what we inherited in 1950 and rightly so.” Recently speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Former CJI Ranjan Gogoi also expressed his doubts on the so called ‘basic structure of the constitution’. People think that these utterings are deliberately and purposely made to ‘test the waters’ by the ‘Hindutava’ forces who intend to change or even abrogate the constitution. Let us wait and see. But there are many questions which need to be answered in this regard – Though it was clarified that these were the personal views of Bibek Debroy yet it would need to be clearly stated by the Government of India, BJP, RSS and the main stream of the civil society as to what was there thinking on the subject? It is an important issue. Keeping the issue hanging in the air would amount to playing with fire and ushering India that is Bharat into “Grammar of Anarchy” as warned by Babasaheb Ambedkar himself. The concerned masses particularly

Talk in Jalandhar to oppose the suggestions of Bivek Debroy

belonging to the socially oppressed and depressed segments of the society, minorities and secular forces in the diversified and multi-racial and multi-cultural society are already worried and ready to challenge such uncalled for ‘misadventure’ to change the constitution of India. India is India only because of the constitution. We would ignore this ground reality at our own peril. ‘We the people of India’ must not be oblivious of the nefarious designs of the vested interests to ward off the country of the dangers ahead.

Chupa Kar Asteen Mein Bijliyan Rakhi Hain Gardoon Ne
Anadil Bagh Ke Ghafil Na Baithen Ashiyon Mein
(The sky has kept thunderbolts concealed up its sleeve
Garden’s nightingales should not slumber in their nests)

*****

Ambedkar Power – Growing Relevance – It may seem somewhat strange and even bizarre to coin a word like ‘Ambedkar Affect’. It may also be called a farfetched preposition – Ambedkar Power is getting increasingly visible in the polity and socio-economic structures of the country and with this relevance of dalits or the weaker sections is getting new meanings. I don’t know whether I

would succeed in making my point but nevertheless, I would try and say it anyway. One may recall in 1946 when the first interim government was formed, Congress Party and Muslim League were given equal number of Ministerial berths in the Council of Ministers. Dalit identity by then was already established. Congress Party nominated Jagjivan Ram to give representation to dalits (Ambedkar was not in the reckoning as he was a staunch opponent and critic of Congress Party) and to match the Congress Party, Muslim League nominated Joginder Nath Mandal to accommodate dalit interests. This drama of owning or appropriating dalits started well before the independence. And it continues till today in one way or the other both by the Congress Party and the newly emerged the other biggest party, BJP. Ambedkar and his legacy, to my mind, are solely responsible to bring about this visible scenario with regard to dalits or Scheduled Castes to come in the national reckoning. It seems that it, the Ambedkar Affect, would remain so in the years to come. Congress Party appropriated Babasaheb Ambedkar by nominating him to the Constituent Assembly, making him the Chairman of the Drafting Committee to write the Constitution, appointing him the first Law Minister of India (Pakistan did the same to Joginder Nath Mandal but later things changed and it is a separate issue). Congress Party promoted Jagjivan Ram and the likes of D. Sanjivayya to counter Babasaheb Ambedkar and later the likes of Buta Singh, Chand Ram, Yogendra Makwana etc. came to the centre stage and roped in B.D. Khobragade, B.P. Maurya, Ram Dhan among others to give representation to SCs in the power structures of the country. BJP in the run up to become a pan-India political force n the 1970s, started looking for SC faces to attract the SC vote banks and brought to their fold educated SCs like Ram Nath Kovind, Suraj Bhan, Sonkar Shastri, Sanjay Paswan among others. Congress Party made K.R. Narayanan first Vice President and then President of India to please the SC communities as a well thought-over strategy. ‘Ambedkar Affect’ was at work in shaping the political landscape for the SCs in the scheme of things of both Congress Party and BJP. BJP made Ram Nath Kovind the President of India, recognized Ambedkar by making memorials and celebrating Ambedkar’s 125th birth anniversary, appointed a couple of Governors, made Droupadi Murmu, the President of India. BJP is fully aware of the Ambedkar Affect in the electoral aspects to remain in the corridors of power not only in Delhi but also in the state capitals. In turn, Congress Party picked up Mallikarjun Kharge as the President of Congress Party. Though Kharge Sahib is a leader by his own right yet Ambedkar Affect also played its role in his alleviation to the coveted position.

To cut the story short, I come straight to the new political phenomena coming into

The Ambedkar Affect

play in tactical and strategic political moves of BJP to counter Ambedkar Affect and to amend the Constitution of India, linked with the persona of Ambedkar and his legacy, to promote their subtle agenda of Hindutava by firing the salvos from the shoulders of SC leaders in the BJP – appointed Arjun Meghwal as the Law Minister to oversee and pilot the controversial legislative framework at this crucial and challenging times and more recently appointed Former President of India, Ram Nath Kovind as Chairman of the Committee to study and make a report on the issue of ‘One Nation – One Election’. I don’t know exactly whether in the past any government made a Former Mahamahim to Chair a government committee to carry forward its political agenda. Anyway it is a separate matter. The crux of the matter is ‘Ambedkar Affect’ - Ambedkar Ka Zaddu Sar Chad kar Bol Raha Hai. Ambedkar Power is a potent power and will remain so in the days to come. Allma Iqbal’s poetic assertion fully explains the scattered fragrance of Ambedkar Power in the socio-political and even socio-cultural life of the country:-

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)