THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
-Ramesh Chander
Going by my repeated writings, of late, one may tend to say that I am overwhelmed or abscessed by the phenomena called Ambedkar. Though I personally don’t believe in cults, but with the fast changing scenario, Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar is increasingly becoming a cult in India but luckily in a positive sense. Let me explain the matter a bit more not as an expert but as a lay man and a humble Amedkarite.
The socio-political scenario in the country is changing fast. Thanks to the Constitution of India given to us by our forefathers led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, rightly called Father of the Constitution. Not very long in the past, the ‘status quoists’ belonging to the mainstream of the society did not take Ambedkar seriously and rather tried their best to undermine and negate him and his legacy. But that was not to be as his personality and legacy was too potent to contend with. Babasaheb Ambedkar was a visionary leader. The socio-political edifice of the country gets its cement and glue from the constitution. I will touch only two aspects or attributes pertaining to the situation as these are currently engaging the attention of the country in one way or the other – Socio-Economic Empowerment of Dalits and Women and Secular and Composite Socio-cultural Society. One may agree or not agree with me but I intend to say my mind.
The affirmative action by the State in empowering the socially marginalized segments of the society generally called Dalits and the women folk have done well as expected and visualized by Babasaheb Ambedkar in the face of opposition by the so called Thekedars of the society particularly professing the rotten Manuwadi thinking. Though establishing a casteless society and bringing about social and economic democracy is the ultimate goal yet we should not ignore the ground realities of caste and religion. The forces of change and transformation are at work and we must encourage them. The recent events and happenings – Operation Sindoor to address the challenge of terrorism resulting in conflict with Pakistan is one such demonstration. Our armed forces hit the infrastructures of terror in Pakistan and POK.
The High Tables in New Delhi to brief the media and public were adorned by two worthy ladies of the Brass of the Armed Forces, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Col. Sofiya Qureshi. Could there be a better example of Women Empowerment? Babasaheb Ambedkar in the Heavens will only be happy to see this scene, two young and gracious ladies sitting and operating in the corridors of power with authority and aplomb. Later it was revealed, though it was not necessary, that one of them, Vyomika Singh belonged to the socially marginalized segments of the society. There is no point, to my mind, in hiding the fact as we still live in a caste ridden society and it will remain so for years to come. It is my humble suggestion to the GOI to revive 
and resurrect the Chamar Regiment in the Indian Army with a view to provide much needed pride and confidence among the young Dalits to make and get their due share in the security and defense of the country. It is a well-known and recognized fact that the Sikh Light Infantry of the Indian Army, comprising of Mazhabi and Ravidassia Sikhs, showed its velour and won appreciation as and when given chance to so like the Chamar Regiment in the British colonial days. It would yet be another affirmative action to realize the vision of Ambedkar in uplifting the socially marginalized youth.
There is yet another point to depict Ambedkar in new context and right perspective – elevation of Justice B.R. Gavai, a staunch mbedkarite, to the coveted constitutional post to adore the chair of CJI. This empowerment has come by the thoughts and teachings of Gautama the Buddha – Be your own light. The concept of Peace and Fraternity and not Yudha pertained to Buddhist Thought. Here also Ambedkar’s vision comes handy. Babasaheb Ambedkar took the lead to revive Buddhism in India by embracing Buddhism in 1956 and showing path of peace and harmony in the divisive society. Here comes the stage when our socio-cultural outfits like RSS, SGPC among others need to come out and stand to address the issues of caste and women empowerment with serious intent to bring about Samrasta in the society. The sooner the better.
We are yet to go a long way to address these issues to make the society and polity really secular to maintain and preserve our inherit diversity. Babasaheb Ambedkar stipulated India is Bharat to be Secular State to contain and preserve its unique identity as a multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-lingual society. His views on the rights and duties of minorities are well known and documented. Let there be many more Col. Sofiya Qureshis’ and young Ponywala, Shafeeq Ahmed who challenged the dastardly terrorists in Pahalgam and succumbed to the gun-shots of the enemies of humanity along with his fellow countrymen. There is no place of narrow minded fanatics like Vijay Shahs’.
With this, I think, the time has come to think and adopt the thought of Babasaheb Ambedkar in ts new context and right perspective to carry the caravan forward to make India a developed country by 2047 as visualized by PM Narendra Modi and ‘We the people of India’. I conclude this off the cuff piece with Allma Iqbal’s poetic assertion:
Hawaida Aaj Apne Zakhm-e-Pinhan Kar Ke Chorun Ga
Lahoo Ro Ro Ke Mehfil Ko Gulistan Kar Ke Chorun Ga
I will surely exhibit all my hidden wounds today
I will surely change assembly to a garden with blood‐mixed tears
Jalana Hai Mujhe Har Shama-e-Dil Ko Souz-e-Pinhan Se
Teri Tareek Raaton Mein Charaghan Kar Ke Chorun Ga
I have to light every heart’s candle with hidden pathos
I will surely create bright illumination in your darkness
Parona Aik Hi Tasbeeh Mein In Bikhare Danon Ko
Jo Muskhil Hai, To Iss Mushkil Ki Asan Kar Ke Chorun Ga
If stringing these scattered pearls in a single rosary
Is difficult, I will surely make this difficult task easy
