dreams and contradictions :(

Yesterday’s Ambedkar Jayanthi left me with uneasiness. It also opened unto me newer understanding about inequalities and indifference which permeate everything in our society even in this 21^st century.

Yes, it was April 14^th and is observed as Ambedkar Jayanthi all over the country.

But, it seemed as if it was meant to be celebrated only by the so-tagged Ambedkarites.

Because, nobody gathered at Ambedkar Chowk other than Dalit individuals (except our Sanitary and Health Inspector, City Municipal Council, Basavakalyan who was on his regular duty and certainly, he is quite knowledgeable about the caste names of his superiors and may be tried to prove his devotion towards work, as opportunity came) to pay their respect and show that they possessed a sense of belonging with this man who envisaged the ideals of Justice – social, economic and political; Liberty – of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; Equality – of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation.

It is depressing to see that there is neither a sense of solidarity nor an attitude to appreciate differences in the society we live in. More pitiable is the case of non-dalit beneficiaries of reservation (touchables who enjoyed the fruits of positive discrimination either directly or indirectly) who still do not associate or show reverence and deliberately choose (for lack of courage to display their identity or for wisdom that dispelled all fears the communities are believed to have suffered since ages) to stay indifferent on days such as Ambedkar Jayanthi.

Deep-rooted caste system and institutionalized patriarchy are contradictory to the fundamental principles of social freedom and natural justice. In his words, Dr. B.R.Ambedkar remarked that

“On 26th January 1950, we are going to enter into a life of contradictions. In politics, we will have equality and in social and economic structure, continue to deny the principle of one man one value.

How long shall we continue to live this life of contradictions? How long shall we continue to deny equality in our social and economic life? If we continue to deny it for long, we will do so only by putting our political democracy in peril. We must remove this contradiction at the earliest possible moment else those who suffer from inequality will blow up the structure of democracy which this Constituent Assembly has so laboriously built up.”

Dr.B.R.Ambedkar clearly cautioned out as to what peril is bound to occur if contradictions continue to co-exist and what is the future if we consciously snub contemporary social philosophers who voice dissent most moderately and write off the social histories most conveniently (as if it never happened on this soil or as if the truth that it has happened had no anguish associated with it or as if there is no implication in any form on the future of a billion populace).

At this juncture, it is pertinent for us, as a nation-state, to realize that our society and we as a people have failed totally - failed to give the courage to the Dalits to celebrate a more-meaningful and socially inclusive Ambedkar Jayanthi (in a way national festivals or Gandhi Jayanthi is celebrated); failed to build the conviction to rise above the rest in pursuit of Equity and Justice; failed to reduce the contempt of the underprivileged sections in the society and failed to curb the contradictions deliberately by resorting to  indifference towards our fraternity and  apathy about future.

However, there's always Hope!

And We Will Keep Marching!