THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT, UK-
With the every passing day, relevance of Babasaheb Dr. B. R. Ambedkar is increasingly gaining strength and currency not only in India but beyond too. The democratic processes in India, of late, has clearly shown that the marginalized segments of the society are getting restive to have their say and share not in the polity alone but also in the economy and also socio-cultural sphere and rightly so. As visualized by our fore-fathers led by Babasaheb Ambedkar, the political democracy established with our constitution in 1950 has to be transformed into social and economic democracy to keep India on track. It is not for nothing that every political formation and socio-cultural outfits is falling on each other to own Babasaheb Ambedkar and his legacy. The dictum of ‘One Vote: One Value’ has started showing its efficacy and setting the trends (Disha and Dasha) for the things to follow in the days to come. Here lies the relevance of Babasaheb Ambedkar. The time is fast approaching when the dalit voters would start asserting a bit more in spite of the fact that the vested interests tend to keep them divided. But my gut feelings tell me that Ambedkar would prevail, as I wrote in one of my recent blogs. It will be difficult to ignore Ambedkar and his legacy anymore.
With this background, I come to the issue dear to my heart – the proposal to declare April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar, as International Day of Equality under the arrangements of the UN. I would continue to do my bit in this regard. The update in this regard is that after my approach to President of BJP, J.P. Nadda in August, 2024, my request to the dalit Ministers in the NDA Government on September 18, 2024, I took the liberty of writing to Sarsnghchalak of RSS, Mohan Bhagwat on October 13, 2024 followed by my letter of October 23, 2024 to CM of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM, Devender Fadnvis and MOS Ramdas Athawale to invoke Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Mararashtra connection. My letter is appended below for perusal. Let us see – Behosh Jo Paden Hain, Shyad Une Jaga De.
Text of the Letter dated October 23, 2024
October 23, 2024
Respected CM Eknath Shinde ji,
I am a retired career diplomat of the IFS. I thought of inviting your attention to one of the topical matters of concern and interest to ‘We the people of India’ particularly to Maharashtra – proposal on declaring April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar, as International Day of Equality under the aegis of the UN. The proposal is resting with the GOI (MEA/PMO) since June, 2015. We have been reminding the GOI, off and on, since then. Two of my latest letters on the subject addressed to Shri J.P. Nadda, President of BJP and Shri Mohan Bhagwat, Sarsanghchalak of RSS would provide you some more details. I take the liberty of attaching these letters as appendices for your kind perusal.
I would not take much of you time as I know you are extremely busy. The purpose of this letter is to solicit your support to the proposal on International Day of Equality to honour and recognize one of the greatest sons of India in the contemporary times. You very well feel and understand the pulse of the country, especially Maharashtra, Sir. You would agree that it is time to consider and approve the proposal by the GOI before it gets too late.
Yours truly,
(Ramesh Chander)
Hon’ble Shri Eknath Shinde
CM of Maharashtra
Mumbai
Copy to – i) Shri Devnder Fadnvis, Dy. CM of Maharashtra
ii) Hon’ble MOS Ramdas Athawale
Appendics I – Letter dated August 27 to Shri JP Nadda
August 27, 2024
Respected Shri J.P. Nadda Sahib,
I am taking the liberty of writing to you on an issue of which you may be of aware as I have been writing to you on the subject off and on in the past many years – The proposal on April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar as the International Day of Equality under the aegis of the UN.
The proposal is resting with the MEA/PMO since June, 2015. Ever since, I have been pursuing the matter with all whom I considered could be of help in this regard. My last letter dated September 11, 2023 to EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar may be seen at the Annexure to this letter.
I may add that I have consciously been trying to keep this issue apolitical as Babasaheb is a national icon and shall be recognized as such. Since the matter pertains to the GOI under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and the BJP, it would only be appropriate for me to take up the matter with you not only as an important Minister in the GOI but also as President of the BJP as I am confident that after a 10 years stint, NDA government headed by BJP would remain in power in the years to come. My last Blog written in March this year on the subject which would provide a bit more information on the proposal may be accessed at: https://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2024/03/it-is-time-to-remind-international-day.html
Though the matter is apolitical, as I said, yet kindly allow me to say my mind. You know that Ambedkar is a phenomenon which would remain firm on the socio-political firmament of the country for a long time to come. The fast changing political scenario on the basis of ‘one vote – one value’ would always be influencing the politics of the country and as such the marginalized sections of the society would tend to have their say. It has been proved in the recent elections. No political outfit can afford to ignore this ground reality. I know for certain that BJP under your stewardship and the GOI under PM Narendra Modi cannot remain oblivious of the coming scenario. Supporting the proposal on International Day of Equality to honour Babasaheb Ambedkar would, obviously result in good dividends not only politically but also strengthen India’s stature in the realm of ‘Socio-cultural – Soft diplomacy’ in the comity of nations in line with International Day of Non-violence and International Day of Yoga.
You would agree, Sir that time is of essence. I urge you to kindly have a fresh look on the proposal and consider the proposal and decide. It would only be appropriate if the proposal on International Day of Equality is taken to the UN through diplomatic channels and EAM/PM may include the matter in their speeches at the forthcoming UNGA in September, 2024.
I am confident, Sir, that my submissions will find due consideration with you.
With personal regards,
Yours truly,
(Ramesh Chander)
Shri J.P.Nadda,
President of BJP
New Delhi
Copy to:
Dr. S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs
Shri Varindra Kumar, Minister of Social Justice
Shri Chirag Paswan, Minister of Food Processing
Shri Ramdas Athawale, MOS for Social Justice
Principal Secretary to PM. Shri P.K. Mishra
Shri Mohan Bhagwat, Sarsanghchalak of RSS
Appendics II – Letter dated October 13, 2024 to Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat
October 13, 2024
Respected Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat Mahodya,
I am one of your followers and well-wishers. You may recall my meetings with you in Jalandhar and Nagpur a couple of years ago.
After listening to your customary annual address on the Vijay Dashami, I take the liberty of congratulating you and the RSS cadres on the auspicious beginning of the Centenary Year of the RSS and wish this unique and un-matched organization engaged in the nation building and reform and well-being of the society at large. I am confident, Sir, the Centenary year of the RSS would further strengthen the resolve of the Swyamsewaks under your stewardship to address the issues of interest and concern to the country; especially of the weaker sections of the society. I fully agree with you that weakness was a crime and even “Gods did not care for the weak.”
I am a votary of the RSS’s agenda of “Samrasta”. I was happy to listen to your pledge to take up the mission of social unification in the days to come. Here, keeping with your message, I have a humble suggestion to make – The Centenary Year of the esteemed RSS should be dedicated to the ‘Eradication of Caste’ in our society with an added impetus to ‘Integrate the so called dalits’ with the main stream of the society.
I take this opportunity to solicit your kind support to my proposal of declaring April 14, birthday of Babasaheb Ambedkar, as International Day of Equality under the aegis of the UN. The proposal is resting with the GOI (MEA/PMO) since June, 2015. I have been writing on the subject, off and on, but I could not make my point reach home so far.
I am confident, Sir, my humble submissions would find due consideration at your hands.
With the assurances of my highest consideration,
Yours truly,
(Ramesh Chander)
Shri Mohan Bhagwat,
Sarsanghchalak of RSS,
Nagpur (Maharastra)
