THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Dr. Ramjilal, Social Scientist, Former Principal, Dyal Singh College, Karnal, Haryana, India
[email protected]
Abstract
The process of demolishing the statues of many well-known politicians and social reformers in India has been going on for a long time. In this context, Valmiki, the first poet and author of the epic Ramayana; Ravidas; Ramaswamy Periyar; Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, etc., are the more popular names. For the first time in independent India, when the Hindu Code Bill was still in its form, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and its affiliated organisations burnt the effigies of Dr. Ambedkar on 12 December 1949 on the Ramlila grounds of Delhi.
Expansion
On the one hand, many functions, seminars, symposia, etc. are organised on Dr. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary (14 April) and Mahaparinirvan Diwas (6 December), on the other hand, news of damage, breaking and harming his statues, burning his effigies and pictures by opponents of Ambedkarite ideology are making headlines in newspapers and electronic media in various states of India – UP, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, etc. An unfortunate scenario is emerging in Indian society. In fact, it is like a double-edged sword. On one hand, the importance of Ambedkarism and Ambedkar’s contribution are being reduced, and on the other hand, there is insult and suppression of scheduled castes. The continuous increase in atrocities, crimes and violent incidents due to ‘caste discrimination’ or ‘hidden apartheid’ is not only harmful for Dalits, but also for the nation and society.
By studying Indian history, we come to know that many great men have been born in the Dalit society who are not not only constantly opposed the Varna system and Manuvadi system, but also used their writings to create awareness for social reforms and have been the inspiring force for reformists. Chenniah (Cobbler) was a famous Kannada poet of the 11th century, and in the 12th century, Dalit saint Kulve challenged the well-established Manuvadi social system based on hierarchy, which gives more privileges to Brahmins and upper-class people. Saint Ravidas in the Middle Ages and Jyotiba Rao Phule and his wife Savitribai Phule in the nineteenth century strongly raised the issue of inequality based on the caste structure prevalent in Indian society. Other scholars of the 19th century who fought against the Manuwadi system include Guru Ghasidas (1756-1850), founder of the Satnam sect, and in the 20th century, Mahatma Ayyankali (1863-1941, Travancore Cochin, now in Kerala) and Ramaswamy Periyar (17 September 1879-24 December 1973). In this historical series, the name of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar (14 April 1891-6 December 1956) shines like the Pole Star. Murder of Dalit Saints, Gurus and Social Reformers: Sick Anti-Dalit Mentality
Demolishing the statues of Dalit leaders and saints is a sick anti-Dalit mentality. But atrocities, Violence, oppression, etc., against Dalits have been going on for centuries. This is the reason that whenever Dalit social reformers challenged the anti-Dalit traditions, they were also mistreated, and Dalit saints, gurus and social reformers – Sant Chakradhar, Sant Namdev, Sant Tukaram, Guru Ravidas and Sant Chokhamela – were murdered, and attempts were made to murder Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Shahuji Maharaj as well.
Installation of statues of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar begins: A panoramic view
Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar had adopted Buddhism in the last phase of his life. It is well known that Buddhism is against casteism, aristocracy and idol worship. Despite this, today statues of Mahatma Buddha have been installed in numerous countries of the world. Being a follower of Mahatma Buddha, Dr. Bhimrao was against idol worship and hero worship. Despite this, during his lifetime itself, his followers, especially the Dalit classes and the marginalised people living in far-flung villages, had started installing statues of Ambedkar. But officially, the first statue of Ambedkar was installed in 1962 at the crossing of the Institute of Science in Mumbai. After this, the statue of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar was unveiled in 1966 by the then President of India, Dr. Radhakrishnan, in the courtyard of Parliament (now Samvidhan Sadan). In this statue, Dr. Ambedkar is having the Constitution in one hand and pointing out a finger of the other hand. This statue is the most popular in the world today. The installation of the statue of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar in Karnal was selected by the then Deputy Commissioner K. S. Bhauria and the writer (Dr. Ramji Lal),and it was unveiled on 6 December 1988 by the then Chief Minister Tau Devi Lal, a veteran leader of Haryana politics. The place where Ambedkar’s statue has been installed is known as Ambedkar Chowk. Today, thousands of statues have been installed in many countries of the world, including India, England, United States of America, Canada, Nepal etc. The credit for the installation of these statues in foreign countries goes to the NRIs. There are 40 tall statues of Ambedkar in the world. Among these 40 statues, the tallest statue, at 206 feet, is in Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh), which is considered a ‘symbol of social justice’, and after this, the second statue, at 175 feet, is in Hyderabad (Telangana). What are the main reasons for the demolition of statues of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar?
This is a tough question, and the following discussion is important in this regard:
Firstly, the main reason for the demolition of statues of Bhimrao Ambedkar is Ambedkarism – his ideology. Ambedkarism is a cluster of ideas which includes equality, freedom, fraternity, social/economic/political justice, human dignity, secularism, democracy, socialism, and empowerment and upliftment of marginalised and neglected sections of society – Dalits, tribals, women, small farmers and non-farm workers, organised and unorganised workers – and establishment of an egalitarian society where basic needs – food, shelter, clothing, universal education, health facilities, right to work, and right to equal pay for equal work – are fulfilled. Ambedkarite thinking is against corporatisation, including liberalisation, privatisation, and globalisation prevalent in the current century. Ambedkarism envisions the establishment of a society in which the value of every individual is equal in every sphere of life, not on the basis of narrow and communal concepts of birth, caste, region, religion, language, gender, etc. India has a lot of diversity on the basis of caste, religion, sect, region, language and culture. Therefore, Ambedkarism advocates the basic principle of ‘unity in diversity’ to maintain social harmony and unity. Ambedkarism is against inequality, social injustice, inhuman behaviour, untouchability, Manuism (Manusmriti), Brahmanism, feudalism, capitalism, the anti-people attitude of bureaucracy, the dictatorship of majoritarianism, violent movements, religion-based or religion-dominated states, the two-nation theory and Hindu or Muslim nations.
Due to this ideology, statues of Dr. Ambedkar are demolished because it is a challenge for the supporters of right-wing ideology, corporate, capitalists and religious fundamentalists. Ambedkarite thinking emphasises an alternative in which an egalitarian society is established and where the common people get education, health and employment facilities, and everyone gets the freedom to live a respectable life. But the dominant class – the people who control the current system and are taking advantage by establishing dominance over all the facilities – are against the establishment of this alternative system in any form.
Secondly, the increase in the participation of the Dalit class in the inputs and outputs of the political system is another important reason. Due to Ambedkarite thinking, many changes have taken place in the Dalit society. Due to one person, one vote, one value, the importance of Dalit voters has increased, and at the time of elections, People of upper castes have to knock on their doors to ask for votes. As a result of the provision of reservation in the Constitution, political Participation of Dalits has increased from Panchayat to Parliament. People from Dalit castes have taken up positions from the post of President of India to urban local bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions. When people from the so-called upper castes see people from Dalit castes in the positions of president, members of the Central Cabinet, members of provincial assemblies, chief minister, members of the Cabinet, officers of administrative services, judges in the judiciary and chief justice, a feeling of jealousy and hatred arises in their minds.
Thirdly, due to reservation, Children of the Dalit class got educated and entered government jobs, and now There has been an unprecedented change in their lifestyle. As a result, the The economic condition of the Dalit class changed, and their purchasing power increased. Due to which, this class started matching the so-called upper class. Like the so-called classes, their respect in the society started increasing due to having motorcycles, cars, good houses, the best clothes, etc. As a result, the hegemony and dominance of the upper class is moving towards ending. The upper class blames Dr. Ambedkar for reservation. This is the reason why Ambedkar’s statues are damaged ,Children and his effigies are also burnt.
Fourth, Dr. Ambedkar’s statues are a symbol of social, economic and political justice, inspiration and respect for the Dalit class. But when the statues are demolished, the dignity of the marginalised people of the society is hurt because on Ambedkar’s birth anniversary and Mahaparinirvana Day, the Dalit and oppressed class people all over the world pay their respects to Ambedkar by paying homage to his statues. As a result, a sense of unity, organisation and struggle is created among them. Through various events on Jayanti and Mahaparinirvana Day, the work done by Ambedkar is described extensively so that the coming generations get inspired. Although Ambedkar is not God, for the Dalit class he is no less than God because they believe that because of Ambedkar, provisions were made for them in the Constitution, and they have got equal rights as other castes. As the architect of the Constitution, Ambedkar has given the Dalit class, like other classes, the right to live a life with dignity. Apart from this, due to Ambedkar’s efforts, many such laws have been made for the working class, which have benefited the Dalit class. They are fighting for their rights. Today, there are numerous organisations and political parties of Dalit classes based on Ambedkarite thinking. Not only this, now they also have their own channels and some newspapers to propagate Ambedkar’s ideology. Apart from the Dalit class, Ambedkar is also respected by socialist thinkers and leaders and Marxists, and just as Ambedkar talks about building a casteless society, Marxists also talk about building a classless society. Ambedkar’s thinking advocates state control over national resources, due to which Ambedkar ranks in at the forefront of socialists. As a result of all this, consciousness and awareness are continuously increasing among the Dalit classes, and as they struggle for their rights, countless problems will be created in their way by the so-called upper classes, and there is a possibility of increasing demolition of statues. But the government should stop the demolition of statues and make changes in the legal provisions to give the harshest punishment to those who do this. Because the nation which insults or forgets its history and its heroes actually create obstacles in the path of its development.
Therefore, Ambedkarite ideology is a meaningful ideology, and it should be used to create an alternative social, economic and political system which can actually become an alternative to the capitalist, corporatist and criminal nexus. When this ideology enters the society in a proper manner, then the demolition of statues of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar will stop automatically.
