Last week entire nation observed the birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar. This year the remembrance was very much high decibel, thanks to the forthcoming elections in seven states and elections in the center. Especially Mumbai and surroundings saw many processions and activities in the pandals built roadside. The activities were seen in the 'dalit-majority' areas. However the banners and boards that were talking about the great leader were from all the political parties and the local 'social workers' as everybody eyed the vote bank's pie, including Advani's Bhartiya Janata Party.
Unfortunately the downtrodden people are still suffering from access to basic needs. The best way to keep them busy is to keep them fighting against the so called progressed. When most of them still are busy fetching water and cant even make it to primary school, the politicians are busy introducing reservations in top tier educational institution under the pretext of bringing in equality by offering equal opportunity to all. However, very few of them are really bothered about this issue. The plight of the Dalits remains the same across the length and breadth of India. In the states like Bihar and UP they still have to seek the permission to sit down on the earth in front of an upper caste person. In Maharashtra, their women are still gang raped and in deep down in Kerala, though they opt for Christianity, they remain as Dalit Christians.
The worst comes when we look at the leadership they have got. A look at all those banners and boards painted and were hanging across the roads in Mumbai in select Dalit-majority areas were talking about the plight. In a locality less than 100 meters long left us with at least 10 different boards that talk about Republican outfits and Buddhist outfits that work on Ambedkar principles. One may be happy to know that there are ten such entities in such a small area. However just check the work of these guys and one come across a shocking fact. They exist only to the extent of boards and some small activities some time in a year. They crop up only when there are elections. On top of everything, it speaks a lot about the fractions they have within themselves. A case in point is Republican Party of India. This political party has more than 11 fractions and they keep fighting with each other and sleep with anybody and everybody for the sake of power.
It is the time to call it enough. Not only for the Dalits but also for the non dalits. The political powers have misused the name of Ambedkar as a separation line to keep both these segments aloof. At the end of the day they got their lessons from British Raj which worked on the principle of Divide and Rule. There is a need to put Ambedkar in perspective and obviously beyond the routine introduction. Let us understand him well as a leader of India that just a leader of the downtrodden ones. |
