Normally I would be delivering my speech to celebrate Babasheb’s 129th birth anniversary at the Ambedkar House London, or the India High Commission London and the House of Lords. But these are very trying times. Babasheb represents the spirit of optimism and better times. Who can deny that? What we need now are positive messages. What we need now is to remember how transformative Babasheb Ambedkar was for our foremothers, and forefathers and all generations since. I cannot think of a better example of the power of thought and action. His message was educate, agitate, organize. That’s what we need to do in these troubled time on so many levels.
This year’s Dr Ambedkar birth anniversary falls during a very difficult time in the global fight against COVID-19. The Coronavirus has confined Ambedkarites around the world to their homes. My heart really, really goes out to our brothers and sisters in India. But especially to those dying of hunger or sitting with empty stomachs, worrying about their next meal, their safety and how they will manage. Let’s use this time to reflect on this and do all we can to help. Never lose heart.
I was born in India. I grew up and live in London. I reflect ever more on Babasaheb’s determination to have a more equal and just socio-economic society. When this virus has done its worst and we’ve come through to the other side, one thing is clear: we must call out those in power and demand justice whether it’s here in the UK or in India.
Deep in the Second World War – a struggle against totalitarianism and fascism Babasheb supported – British politicians looked to create a more equality society. They built a strong National Health Service, a welfare state and free education. In India, newly freed from the yoke of colonialism, Babasheb started work on visionary laws to help workers, women and all strata of society. Babasheb’s Constitution enshrined fundamental rights and affirmative actions to achieve this for all Indians. We mustn’t let these rights be diluted or destroyed.
We know anything is possible when we really try and work hard for it.
One day in September 2014 I walked into a dilapidated 10 King Henry’s Road in London. Babasaheb had lived and worked under its roof in the early 1920s. I had a crazy Babasaheb-inspired idea. Thanks to FABO UK’s intense lobbying, supported by Mr Ramesh Katke ji and Mr Gaikwad ji in Mumbai who made sure our voice was heard, we secured funding to enable the purchase of the property. This March, a Public Inquiry into the museum status of 10 King Henry’s Road declared in our favour. This historic victory will enable us to finish setting up the first museum dedicated Babasheb Ambedkar outside of India in somewhere where he lived. The Ambedkar Museum London will be the conduit for our campaign on internationalising the significance of Dr Ambedkar and the rich legacy he has left us.
More good news. After many years of lobbying and hard work Jai Birdi and his colleagues of the Chetna Association of Canada scored another success. On 6 April 2020, the Mayor of the city of Burnaby in Canada proclaimed 14 April “Dr B R Ambedkar Day of Equality”. These are historic achievements and both reinforce Babsaheb’s importance globally, not just in India.
The time is past for the same old, same old. Let’s concentrate, wherever possible, on positivity. Let’s distance ourselves from all that negativity and fake claims. Let’s spread the Ambedkarite message beyond talking to the converted or ourselves. We owe it to future generations.
But today, my heart is heavy. On Babasaheb’s birth anniversary Dr Anand Teltumbde, a relative of Babasheb, and one of the greatest minds of our generation, is being incarcerated. For years he has challenged atrocities against the Scheduled Castes and Tribes and stood up to fascism. His voice reaches hundreds of thousands of people around the world. His expected imprisonment by the Indian Government using trumped-up charges is being done to muzzle him and others like him. And us. They want to send a clear signal to those social rights activists about raising their voices against atrocities. If you protest, the same fate will befall you. We need to send a clear message back. We must stand with Anand Teltumbde and other champions like him already languishing in jail with no prospect of a fair trail.
I am protesting now before there is no-one more who could protest when they come for us.
Jai Bhim
- Santosh Dass MBE,
- President, Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organisations UK
- Chair, Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance
