An overlook on BR Ambedkar and Dalits in India

Posted on April 15, 2009
Filed Under Blogging, India | Leave a Comment

BR AmbedkarAlright, so what’s today? The roads look so empty..hmm..did I forget something? Its for sure a national holiday but why? Oops, I just forgot that its the day (April 14) that Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was born. By the way, do you know him? well…If you ask me, then yes, I knew him from my school text books which contained the poignant life of Ambedkar as an untouchable and his war against one of India’s worst worst bugaboo – millennia-old Caste System founded by the Hindu society.

To those who are oblivious and have no clue about BR Ambedkar – here is a nutshell presentation: Ambedkar was the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, the first “untouchable” to obtain a college education in India eventually earning law degrees and multiple doctorates, was India’s first law minister.

These days, I have been able to relate to stories of Ambedkar, especially as I come across the lives of Dalits and those who are facing the ‘untouchable’ stigma. Millions are still victims of this age-old curse, which aims to build a hierarchical community by suppressing the poor and voiceless and enslaving humanity. Make rich the rich and make poor the poor – thats the simple policy it performs. Even after the Indian Constitution has abrogated the Caste system – it is still widely practiced.

When I was in my 8th standard, I happened to go to a Dalit colony in Bangalore with a friend. Most of the people there were so poor, really poor. It looked so unclean and unmannered. However, the statue of Ambedkar was big, shining and clean. I really dint know why he gained so much respect. The mate who came with me was feeling so disgusted that he made some light abuses, which hurt some of the people standing there. Don’t ask me what happened next, you surely can guess. I’ve never run this fast in my entire life. Not even when my teacher promised a big toffee if I win our school race. :D

I dint really understand then why Ambedkar received so much prominence. Trust me this chief architect of our Indian Constitution was their savior to lift them from the gutters. He emancipated them from the caste bondage and brought social upliftment. Do you know the preamble of India? I had to mug up this when I was in school to escape whacking. Let me remind you: “We, the people of India,  having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens: Justice, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.”

Imagine what India would have been if Gandhi, Ambedkar and some of our key freedom fighters weren’t alive. What if India was in the hand of a bunch of radicals, chauvinists or ‘Hindu India’ believers? I am not sure I would be here penning this article using my constitutional or fundamental right – the freedom of expression. I could have been put behind the bars by the kleptocratic government that wants to asphyxiate me and want to pronounce a theocratic rule. Guess some countries with such restrictions? China, Pakistan, Middle East..etc…By the way, its interesting to note that China and Pakistan are really good friends ;-) No wonder, both the countries are so like-minded. Only later will the Communists know that it was feeding a venomous snake. Their monetary assistance by China is not helping Pakistan – it is rather used for the building of a Jihadi army – which will surely jeopardise India as well as the world’s progress. You still remember September 11, Mumbai mayhem…etc right? You can relate to it more if your relative had been a victim of Jihadi attack :)

Alright, back to Ambedkar. Being himself a victim of caste system in which social classes are defined by thousands of endogamous hereditary groups, also called as castes, he understood the plights of thousands of others suffering like him. They are deprived of all basic rights. They are isolated in the society; segregated from the social life, mostly face social boycotts. The list goes on and on. Even if they needed to drink water somebody from a higher caste would have to pour that water from a height as they were not allowed to touch either the water or the vessel that contained it.

Ambedkar being a Hindu himself had strongly opposed his religion. He criticised the orthodox Hindus who were blinded by rituals and pseudo-ideologies.

Now, there is a very interesting part in the life of Ambedkar – his conversion to Buddhism. In fact he was close to his conversion to Christianity. During a speech in 1938, he said, “From the available religions and personalities in the world, I consider only two – Buddha and Christ for conversion. We want a religion for me and my followers which will teach equality freedom among men, and how man must behave with men and God, how child should behave with father etc.”

“I prefer Buddhism because it gives three principles in combination, which no other religion does. Buddhism teaches prajna (understanding as against superstition and supernaturalism), karuna (love), and samata (equality). This is what man wants for a good and happy life. Neither god nor soul can save society.”

However, he chose Buddhism than Christianity. But why? Christianity teaches equality, love, freedom, and was more superior to Buddhism…what made him hate missionaries? One of it to mention here would be the ‘forceful conversion’ and their lack of involvement in politics. I don’t have to remind you of the shameful Portuguese inquisition where thousands of innocent Hindus were converted by swords and money. The state of Goa gives you a live presentation of all these atrocities – which being a Christian I condemn.

“Missionaries feel they have done their duty when they convert an untouchable to Christianity. They do not look after their political rights. I find this is a big fault in Christians,” he said.

I do agree with this point, Christian missionaries in India during the past were more concerned of building churches and increasing the Christian population than really understanding the need for social upliftment and freedom for Dalits. The happenings in Goa are a shame to the whole Christian community as Hindu radicals are using it a reason to murder poor Christians in Kandhamal and other rural areas. It’s a shame to the whole Christian community. Those who really are not conversant with the Bible or Jesus do such acts that degrade the whole community. In fact I am totally against forceful conversion. I really hate it. A missionary must not only be concerned of converting or sharing his religion but must also work for the personal freedom of the person in his social, economic and individual life. Furthermore, Christians must not consider politics as bane and must send their representatives for the building of a ‘just’ India. Can you name me 10 popular Christian politicians all over India? Have you yet decided on whom to vote yet?

Dalit status has often been historically associated with occupations regarded as ritually impure, such as any occupation involving butchering, removal of dead animals, removal of night soil (human feces) and leatherwork. One million Dalits work as manual scavengers, cleaning latrines and sewers by hand and clearing away dead animals. I am not only talking about the past, but about the present. It is indeed time to respect human beings and have a holistic approach than those based on sectarian and religious ideologies.

Here is a quick stat: Approximately 250 million Indians (a full 25% of the population), are Dalits. 70% of India’s 25 million Christians come from the “untouchable” background. Let us pray and work together for the emancipation of millions of Dalits in India who are living in conditions not even suitable for animals.

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