Editor-in-Chief: Prem Kumar Chumber Contact: 001-916-947-8920 Fax: 916-238-1393 E-mail: [email protected] Editors: Takshila & Kabir Chumber VOL- 6 ISSUE- 6 June 01-15, 2014 www.ambedkartimes.com www.ambedkartimes.org Electoral Politics, Social awakening and Political Empowerment An Exhibition and Public Function - Prem K Chumber (Editor-in-Chief: Ambedkar Times) The introduction of electoral politics in colonial India during on Dr Ambedkar at Bedford the British Raj aroused critical awareness among the lower castes that their numerical strength can be translated into po- litical power – a key to their empowerment. The first political Rich Tributes paid to the Champion of Human rights initiative on the part of the ex-untouch- ables took shape in 1910 that witnessed the formation of the All India Depressed Classes Federation under the inspiration of the Bombay Presidency Social Reforms Association. The Government of India Act – 1919 expedited the move further under its scheme of communal representation in Indian legis- Arun Kumar lature. In fact, the Government of India Act – 1919 was the [email protected] benchmark for the emergence of Scheduled Castes political awareness leading to the formation of their ‘coherent political On 11 May, 2014, tended by local councilors, blocks’. a huge function to MP and representatives from Promises of electoral politics gave rise to social awak- commemorate the different organisations and ening among the Scheduled Castes (officially known as De- birth anniversary public at the public at large pressed Classes) who perhaps for the first time in the long of Babasaheb Dr Ambedkar the caste atrocities on Dalits from all over UK. A large del- history of their persecution and neglect come to realise the im- was organized at the presti- including rapes and killings of egation comprising of Dr Vijay portance of their head counts for the purpose of their political gious venue in Bedford, Corn Dalit women and the history Kadam, Ramesh Katke, empowerment and social emancipation. They started demand- Exchange by Ambedkar Mis- of campaign against caste Avinash Kamble, Dnyanesh- ing separate electoral constituencies and the right to register sion Society Bedford. The discrimination in the United war Bhimrao Nile, Sudhir Sud- themselves under their long-forgotten indigenous religion. In event included an exhibition Kingdom from 1976. It was hakar Kalsulkar,Mahendra Punjab, the Scheduled Castes made an ambitious proposal for on Dr Ambedkar's life, work, an eye opener for those who Bhimrao Nile, Balu Nitnaware, a separate religion of their own and they fought systematically caste discrimination in India refuse to accept prevalence of Mrs Vandana Nitnaware who for the same under the stewardship of Babu Mangu Ram, a and UK. Also on display were caste based discrimination had come from India espe- renowned Gadharite and founder of historic Ad Dharm move- some of Babasaheb Dr (CBD) and its effects on the cially to attend this function. ment. Babu Mangu Ram won the battle. The Ad Dharmis Ambedkar’s personal belong- victims of CBD. The exhibi- Bhim Smaran-Bhim Stuti, a were allowed to register themselves under their newly declared ings- courtesy of Dr Ambed- tion was designed and pre- new version to pay tribute to religion - Ad Dharm - in the 1931Punjab Census. As per Punjab kar Memorial Committee of pared by Pirthi Kaeley and Dr Ambedkar led by Siddharth Census Report, 1931, part A, Chap.11, subsidiary table 1, p. GB, Wolverhampton. The ex- Arun Kumar and it was Prabuddha joined by other 318; the total number of 418,789 Ad Dharmis registered them- hibition contained copies and opened by Dave Hodgson, guests was recited. A short selves under the Ad Dharm. By registering under the newly de- originals of over three hundred Mayor of Bedford. film on the life and works of clared Ad Dharm, the Scheduled Castes of Punjab made a bold rare photos of Dr Ambedkar, The function was at- (Contd.. to Page 3) statement that they were neither Hindu, Sikh, Muslim or Chris- tian, but a separate qaum who want their due share in the local structures of power of the society, polity and economy. Ambedkar Events at the London Subsequently, Ad Dharm contested 1936 and 1945-46 Punjab Legislative Assembly elections. Out of the eight reserved seats, School Economics and House of Lords it got seven in 1936 election. In the1945-46 election Babu Report by Arun Kumar Ambedkar’s various events took place in LSE, Mangu Ram got elected from Hoshiarpur constituency. To commemorate the birth anniversary of Grays Inn, Oxford and Cambridge Universities Since the days of Ad Dharm movement, Scheduled Babasaheb Dr Ambedkar two historic events and the British Parliament. Castes in Punjab had been actively participating in the electoral took place on 8th May 2014 in London. One The workshop at the LSE was chaired politics of the state and parliamentary elections. But surpris- was at the London School of Economics (LSE) by Dr Alpa Shah, Associate Professor (Reader) ingly enough, their own political parties, Scheduled Castes where Babasaheb studied from 1916 to 1923 Department of anthropology (LSE). After a Federation (SCF), Republican Party of India (RPI), and Bahujan and another at the House of Lords-the Upper brief introduction about Dr Ambedkar’s life Samaj Party (BSP), failed to win over them who constitute about 1/3 of the total population of Punjab.In the recently con- cluded 16th parliamentary election, the BSP failed to win any seat even in its stronghold in Uttar Pradesh. However, still there is good news that in Uttar Pradesh the BSP retained its vote bank intact with some addition. But in Punjab, where the per- centage of Scheduled Castes population is highest in compar- ison to all other states in the country, the percentage of the BSP votes has further dwindled. What does the rout of the BSP signify? Is it that the Scheduled Castes politics has come to an end? Or does it that they lost faith in their own political initiatives? With a solid tra- dition of political participation and a rich legacy of Ad Dharm movement, SCF, RPI and BSP, it would be immature to con- clude that the fate of Dalit politics for its self-governing route House of the British Parliament. Both events and work by Arun Kumar, Jayseelan Raj, Post- is closed. The failure in electoral politics should not be con- were organised by the Federation of Ambed- doctoral Research Fellow, Anthropology, LSE, strued as the failure of social awakening too. The failure in par- karite and Buddhist Organisations UK read his paper on the conditions of Tamil Dalits liamentary constituencies cannot suffocate the strong breath (FABOUK). The LSE event was in collaboration in Kerala. of social awakening among the Scheduled Castes in Punjab. with the department of Anthropology at the He explained that the migrant Dalit They very well understand the golden message taught by their LSE. The House of Lords conference ‘Dr Tamils face extreme discrimination in Kerala on messiahs – Babu Mangu Ram Mugowalia, Bharat Rattan Bod- Ambedkar-his Life and Works’ was chaired by the basis of their caste and language. Dr hisattva Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, Sahib Kanshi Lord Harries of Pentregarth, Chair All Party Clarinda Still, Department lecturer, Modern In- Ram – that political power is a key to their ultimate emancipa- Parliamentary Group for Dalits. These events dian Studies, Oxford and Inequality and tion and empowerment. This message will never go waste! remind us of those years in 1990s when Dr (Contd.. to next Page) www.ambedkartimes.com V0l-6 2 Issue-6 www.deshdoaba.com June 01 - 15, 2014 SRI GURU RAVIDASS SABHA, PITTSBURG (CA) CELEBRATES 29TH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS GURUGHAR AT ITS PRESENT LOCATION ON JUNE 29TH 2014. THE ENTIRE SANGAT IS CORDIALLY INVITED TO JOIN AND GLORIFY THIS HISTORIC EVENT WITH FRIENDS AND RELATIVES, AS PER FOLLOWING PROGRAM 6-27-2014 (Friday) 6-29-2014 (Sunday) ArambhAkhand Path 10:00 A.M BhogAkhand Path 10:00 A.M The occasion will be graced by prominent Kirtankars, preachers and speakers well versed with the history of its existence , being the first Gurughar in USA, associated with the holy teachings of Shri Guru RavidassJiMaharaj. Path and langarsewa for all the three days will be performed jointly by sangat. For more information please call (925) 439-2355. FAQUIRA MEHMI SALINDER SINGH ABHISHEK PAL GYAN SUMAN CHAIRMAN PRESIDENT GENL.SECRETARY TREASURER Faquira Mehmi (Chairman), Slin- der Singh (President), Shashi Paul (Vice President), O P Balley (For- mer President), Sohan Singh Damaria (Former Chairman), Abhishek Pal (General Secretary) & Granthi Singhs honoring Harmesh Lal Sheemar with Siropa on releasing Dr. Ambedkar songs CD at Shri Guru Ravidass Temple Pittsburg (California) Ambedkar Events at the London School Economics and House of Lords Poverty Research Programme, LSE, of Lords was chaired by Lord Harries Speaking on Dr Ambedkar’s Kumar the General Secretary of the had spent one and half year in the of Pentregarth, Chair, All- Parliamen- constitutional provisions for affirma- Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance house hold of a Dalit family in Andhra tary Group for Dalits. It was attended tive action measures, Dr Alpa Shah gave a Lord’s and lobbyist view of the Pradesh to study the day-to-day life by Lord Eric Avebury, Baroness said, “There is no doubt the affirma- campaign for legal protection against of Dalit women. She found that they Verma, Baroness Northover, Lords tive measures have improved the eco- Caste-based discrimination in the UK. were burdened with more responsibil- Spokesperson for Women and Equal- nomic and social conditions of Lord Avebury said “When you reflect ities than those of upper caste ities, Mr. Virendra Sharma MP, Dr millions of people and Dalits are able on the lifetime Ambedkar spent in women.